To remove Windows Messenger manually, click Start, Run and enter the following command:



If you have XP SP1 installed then you will get an error. Just Click okay and it will complete the uninstall. Once you restart windows messenger will be gone!



This post has been edited by BuffaloHELP: Nov 6 2005, 12:14 AM

CAUTION!

Editing your registry without following or knowing how to back-up your registry may lead to unfortunate consequences. Be warned that this forum cannot be responsible for your attempt.

Additional note that this method DOES NOT UNINSTALL Windows Messenger but merely prevents the auto loading when your Outlook Express starts. The program and file itself are still present. Do not misunderstand.

The safer way of doing this is, since you've installed SP1 or higher, access

Set Program Access and Defaults > Custom Instant Messaging > uncheck Windows Messenger

It's that simple. Editing registry should be the last resort when simple setting like this does not work.

When it comes to the registry, if you don't know, don't touch! The registry is an essiantal part of the Operating System, and if it was damaged, and you had no backups, you would be forced to format your whole computer, at worst.

Don't do it, it messes up Windows. After removing it, if you create a new account you'll get some weird error when first logging in. Although it appears only once and doesn't have any other noticable "side-effects". It is more than possible that something else might also go wrong.

I Don't under stand why people bother removing Windows Messenger and Internet Explorer because they won't bother you if you don't use them. Although Messenger does sometimes launch at startup just go to the Options menu and tell it not to and it complies.

And For those wondering, IE security holes won't affect you unless you use IE.

I usually just leave it alone - it's not THAT distracting (I assume you're talking about the little indicator in the taskbar). For me, it's a good way for me to tell whether I'm connected or not.

Mmmhhh, the whole point of uninstalling Windows Messenger manually escapes me, when it is so awfully easy to have the Windows CP allowing you to do it safely. Ever cared to go in Windows CP, Add/remove programs, then on the left side of the window on Windows Components and there unchek Messenger or whatever else you want to remove... ?

Now, don't get me wrong : I'm not naive up to the point of believing that you extract all and every Messenger's components, since it seems that Bill Gates' thugs are so keen about nosing all 'bout us chickens. But at least, by so doing, you'll get quietly on your business without unnecessary traffic associated with having Messenger awake, if passively, on your system .

And YES!, there's no telling what you might wind up with when you put dirty, sticky fingers in the Registry, God Forbid!