Removing MSN Messenger

MSN Messenger is a great hub of utilities for audio, web cam video streaming, text chatting, and even as a source of some great business communication. It also has a built in whiteboard, screen sharing, file sharing, and even remote support tools. It also is well known as a source of Windows vulnerability for hackers and adware. What if you never use it? Why does it automatically load and annoy me every time I logon to windows?

MSN messenger by default is installed with Windows XP. It is also set to load in your system tray when windows boots. Look at the bottom right of your computer screen, near clock - for the little blue person.

To remove if from your computer, open control panel, add remove programs, then add remove windows components. The very last item is MSN messenger. Remove the check mark and click ok. You may need your Windows XP cd rom to locate the source files. It’s an annoyance – to require a cd when removing software, however it may be that Windows XP requires other files as necessary replacements for files you are uninstalling.

To disable messenger from automatically starting with windows, double click on it to open it. You can also locate it down by the clock, on the right bottom corner. It’s the little blue person. If you have never set it up before, you may be prompted to setup and use Windows Passport. Click Cancel to bypass this step. Once messenger is open, click on tools, then options. There are two check marks that should be removed. First, remove the check mark that allows messenger to run with windows; and second – remove the check mark - to automatically run Messenger when connected to the internet.

This will stop messenger from loading with windows, and from running down in the system tray, by the clock. If you removed it from your add remove programs list, then consider it gone from your computer. If you ever need it reinstalled, simply go back to control panel, add remove programs, windows accessories, and put the check mark back.