Free download lets you disable or hide windows messenger...

Just run regedit... Use this key below:
----------------------------------------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FB7199AB-79BF-11d2-8D94-0000F875C541}]
@="Messenger Application"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FB7199AB-79BF-11d2-8D94-0000F875C541}\InProcServer32]
@=""
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FB7199AB-79BF-11d2-8D94-0000F875C541}\LocalServer32]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FB7199AB-79BF-11d2-8D94-0000F875C541}\ProgID]
@="Messenger.MessengerApp.1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FB7199AB-79BF-11d2-8D94-0000F875C541}\Programmable]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FB7199AB-79BF-11d2-8D94-0000F875C541}\TypeLib]
@="{218CB45F-20B6-11d2-8E17-0000F803A446}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FB7199AB-79BF-11d2-8D94-0000F875C541}\Version]
@="1.0"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FB7199AB-79BF-11d2-8D94-0000F875C541}\VersionIndependentProgID]
@="Messenger.MessengerApp"

easier method

1. Load Regedit
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Outlook Express
3. Make there a new DWORD and name it Hide Messenger
4. Make the Value 2 and you will see that the msn or windows messenger wil not come when you start Outlook Express

http://www.tweakxp.com/tweakxp/display.asp?id=533

here's even an easier method:

1. Click on the link that goodmorphing as provided us.

2. Install the "free" software

3. Run it and follow instructions

Thank you, goodmorphing. I downloaded the file and it works.

primerica, some ppl are wary of downloading random executables from the net. Im sure goodmorphing is very trustworthy, but things happen and files that seem innocent can be very dangerous

I checked the website out and virus checked the file and everything is fine. I understand people's concern about downloading strange files from the net, but this one is safe. I'd rather download a file from the net rather than fool around with the registry - I've done that before and had to re-install windows.

virus scanners dont detect trojans or keyloggers

Norton Antivirus 2003 pro does a very good job. About 3 weeks ago it detected a back door trojan virus I got off a downloaded file off KaZaA. It detected it and removed it from my system.

impressive, but thats a new feature if its in 2k3, and its still not their speciality. Im not arguing with ya, some ppl just prefer to do things themselves, espically simple ones.

actually there was 2 viruses:

1) w32.hllp.handy virus

2) Backdoor.optixPro.12 virus

as long as I update the definitions once in a while, I should be fine.

When it comes to changing registries or any commands (hard or simple) I get a little nervous, so if I find a program to do it for me - I'll take my chances with that.

whatever workd for ya

I'm afraid to do a lot of that. I had even stopped using OE because of the windows messenger. I hated it and was glad to find a way to get rid of it (without my destroying my computer in the process, which with my luck and knowledge could have done). If I knew more ... maybe one day I will.

i had the same feelings goodmorphing. When i first installed XP awhile back it became an obsession to find a way to disable messenger from loading everytime I checked my email

it was very thoughtful to share your finding, Im sure there are others in the same boat we were. Just wanted to add an easy alternative method

I saved all of my 'disable' scripts on disk. I uploaded them on my site once for my mom and my buddy. There are disable scripts for balloon tips too.

/me prefers running a safe script rather than hacking into her reg if she can help it.

Messenger defaults on a new XP install??? crud... I'm finally going to put XP on my machine...don't want messenger...thanks for the link GM. It will be the third thing I get rid of behind auto update and the search buddy.

I can't understand why MS does that. They make halfway decent programs then they ruin them adding all sorts of stuff...

That MSN 8 for instance. I think it is really paternalistic for them to require a browser that no one can personalize much. Who could use all that stuff in the toolbar?

It seemed to me that a lot of the things they do is just counterproductive.

As far as I was concerned, that windows messenger was another kind of spyware. Only instead of companies and products, it made it so you couldn't come online without everyone on your IM knowing... and people did use it to keep track of each other.

***SHUDDER*** I like privacy....

Werewolf...I get rid of those right away too. I don't need cartoons running my puter!

Yeah, I agree GM...(((DOUBLE SHUDDER)))

The thing is...I tweak my puter so much (always did) so I gain control and TRY *cough* to have the upper hand on my puter but I feel bad for the newbies with their first computer and don't know how to protect their privacy or how to keep XP from ballooning them to death

I'm glad that an actual /fix/ to keeping Windows Messanger from automatically popping up is out now - although, all you have to do is rename the Windows Messenger folder too.

kthxbye: duh! It's the simplest things which are overlooked.

*chuckles* Yup - it was an experiment. Merely put a ! at the beginning of the folder name, and I was never haunted by that vile program again.

Of course, I snagged that little tool given above to uninstall it completely - and now I'm happier. =D

For XP, I prefer XP-AntiSpy. It safely lets you disable some of XP's more unsavory functions, such as Messenger and turning off XP's quest to 'phone home'. http://www.xpantispy.de/

I don't use Outlook, but I wanted to disable messenger, so it would never run at startup or for any reason ever...................I renamed the Messenger program folder, now, Windows can't find it.

Shakey, thanx for the link, AntiSpy is pretty cool.

I choose to do it this way.

Click on the Startbutton

Click on "Run"

Type in msconfig and click ok

The window that will popup is System configuration Utility..
Next click on the General Tab and put a check in the 'Selective startup"

Now click on the Start up Tab

In this window it shows you ALL the programs that are running on startup.

Just uncheck those you are familiar with and don't want them coming up on startup.

Then click the Apply button and reboot....... If a small window comes up after bootup, just check the box to not show this message again. done

I use messenger to communicate with a few family members. It actually is quite a nice IM program. You can always set it so that it does not log on - then it really just sits in the system tray doing nothing. Also, with SP-1 for XP didn't MS include a way to get rid of it?