MS is forcing MSMessenger on us-again

[RoadClosed]

It's a curious coincidence since I just ran Microsoft’s latest update. Now I can't close MS Messenger like I always do when I don't want to use it! Sure I can sign off but the damn thing is still down there leering at me in the system tray. I know what you are saying, there are ways to remove it but - damn. Get this, it says "Can't close messenger because another program is using it, this could include outlook, outlook express, or internet explorer." Hmmpff. I guess they finally started adding it into the OS through the infamous "Windows Update". Annoying us sysaddy’s and users with constant reminders to set up a hotmail account wasn't good enough for Billy and the Boingers.

/end rant.

PS, Yes I do consider it a security thing, or more affectionately ant-security by MS.

[Lv4]

I've seen that before, but it's been a while. It was usually happening when either Outlook was running in the background or was closed down prematurely and possibly had some open threads running in the background.

Have you tried a reboot (yes I know it's the standard response to MS problems) yet?

Check your services out and see what's running.

[Biznicchio]

If you select Tool\Options and then uncheck 'Run this program when Windows starts' this will stop Messenger from starting when Windows start.

[avdven]

My recommendation, use XP-AntiSpy and remove messenger. If you don't want to do that, or you have a number of computers you need it removed from, there's a reg hack (I can post it online when I get back to my office if you want) which you can import into the registry on all of your systems at startup which will remove it permantely.

AJ

Edit: By the way, I completely agree that it's ridiculous that msmsgs is pushed on us. For my office network, one of my friends found a way to ensure that it never shows up under "Recommended Updates" on WindowsUpdate on any of my systems. I think it was a reg hack, but I'm not sure.

[nihil]

It would seem that the nice Australian wine has finally started to reach my brain (brane)?

I have had some concern about these messaging systems fo some time.

Please try: http://www.bitdefender.com and look for the free (to home users?) tools for MSN, IM, and the lot.............................might be useful to those that use them?


cheers

[SDK]

Hey avdven, I would be interest in the regitry hack to complety remove Messenger from Running at all even when Outlook is open. Can you post it here or PM?

Thank you.

[el-half]

I have MSN Messenger 5 and I don't have outlook installed, I get that message too, I sometimes have to close Internet Explorer before I can close MSN Messenger.

[avdven]

I can't find the registry hack at the moment, but here are two commands you can put in a batch file which will remove it...

To Remove Windows Messenger:
rundll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %systemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

To Remove Extra Windows Messenger Stuff:
rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection BLC.Remove 128 %systemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf

AJ

PS: I'll keep looking for the reg hack and post it when I find it.

[recon]

I went to my computer then local dish c. program files.found messenger and rename it.

[RoadClosed]

Ya, that's my beef el-half, you can't close the damn thing when you have Outlook and IE open. Unfortunately, I have family that use MSN (ack) so I am stuck with messenger when I want some comms with them. But when I am not using it I used to close it, now I have to exit Outlook, which is my life blood and brain extension, and close IE. Boring Hassles.