Windows Messenger

[funxus]

I have this problem with Windows Messenger. (The top three most hated Microsoft programs have the word messenger in them btw...)

Some time ago, Windows Messenger (msmsgs.exe) suddenly started to run when the computer started. And since my sister had run the program a long time ago (when neither of us were aware that it was harmful), it automatically logs in on her account and all her friends start sending messages to me and I freak out. Going through the normal procedure of unchecking alternatives-> don't autostart or whatever, I couldn't find it. It was just an empty space. So, I check msconfig and all possible Run-keys in the registry to see where it started, but couldn't find any. I then went into Add/remove Windows Components and removed it, along with MSN messenger. This still didn't help and the program was still starting with the computer. I then searched the net to see how to shut it down, and I followed some long odd procedure to prevent it from running, which so far has worked. The program is still on the computer though (so much for uninstalling it), in the folder (C:\program\messenger\).

The reason of this thread is both to express my anger at how anyone can force such an annoying program unto all paying windows-users without a simple option to turn it off or uninstall it, and to ask how safe it is to remove the folder from the computer? How necessary is that program to the general functions of Windows (XP Home, SP1) and other MS-programs?

 

[Gainy]

I'm confused. I can stop it automatically starting up by going into...

Windows Messenger ---> Tools ---> Preferences

Then uncheck the box which says "Run this program when windows starts"
To stop it from automatically logging you on, just uncheck the box below where you type in yer password.
This is with Xp Home...

 

[Archer 007]

Originally posted by funxus
(when neither of us were aware that it was harmful)

Why is it harmful?

 

[Plexus]

Not neccesarily harmful, I bet... just annoying as hell.

 

[Jeratain]

Originally posted by Gainy bo
I'm confused. I can stop it automatically starting up by going into...

Windows Messenger ---> Tools ---> Preferences

Then uncheck the box which says "Run this program when windows starts"
To stop it from automatically logging you on, just uncheck the box below where you type in yer password.
This is with Xp Home...

What he said. It also applies to XP Pro. MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger, all the same.

But what the hell are you talking about (funxus) when you say it's harmful? AFAIK there is nothing harmful about MSN Messenger. It does not contain spyware. It may have ads, but what free chat program doesn't?

 

[bobgote]

I think it was windows messaging service (a totally different program) that had the security problems.

 

[Jeratain]

Originally posted by bobgote
I think it was windows messaging service (a totally different program) that had the security problems.

Ah, good call bob. If he's referring to the messaging service then that's another story.

It's not really a security issue, it's more of an annoyance which can easily be disabled. The Messenger Service is in no way related to Windows Messenger or MSN Messenger funxus, so don't be too scared to use it

 

[Wolfe Tone]

On a similar note, is there anyway to stop Windows messenger starting up whenever I open outlook express.

 

[Jeratain]

It should be an option under Outlook Express in Options and the General tab.

 

[funxus]

Sorry, haven't had time to check back here for a while...

Harmful (quite an overexaggeration I agree) to me, as in once you've started it and logged in, you can't stop it or uninstall it, and all of a sudden when using the computer, it starts popping up annoying messages uncontrollably... Since I never installed it, or asked for the program to be installed, the program isn't necessary for the OS to run, and it's hard to get rid of, it's (IMO) in league with viruses.

Gainy Bo, your way of turning it off worked before, but sometimes it automatically turned on the autostart again. This time however, that option didn't exist (it was just blank...). After checking on the net, I found a way of creating keys in the register to turn prevent it from running.

I know the difference between the three messengers, and I've never liked any of them.

 

[Jeratain]

OH! Haha, you wanted this (sorry about that ):

To disable the Messenger Service in Windows XP

Click Start and then click Control Panel.
Click Performance and Maintenance. (If you do not see the Performance and Maintenance icon, you may be using Classic View. You can skip to step 3 below, but you must double-click Administrative Tools.)
Click Administrative Tools.
Double-click Services as shown in Figure 1 above..
Double-click Messenger.
In the Startup type list, choose Disabled as shown in Figure 2 below.
Click Stop, and then click OK.

 

[funxus]

Once again, I know the difference between the three messengers, and my question concerned the chat program Windows Messenger. I now see my description actually seemed to fit the service messenger more, but they both fit the same description.

Thanks for the step-by-step instruction anyway Jeratain.

I realise a chat program isn't that evil really, but I don't need or want the program...

After uninstalling and preventing it from running (already done), does anyone think it would be unsafe to delete the Messenger folder in Program files, still containing all the files for the program?

 

[Jeratain]

(I talk too much)

I think it would be unwise to delete the folder and files. You could run into problems in the future (ie: windows updates). If you've disabled it then there's no real reason to worry.

 

[funxus]

Thanks, I'll leave it as it is until it starts running itself again...

 

[IglooDame]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;327390 tells you how to keep Outlok Express from autolaunching MSN Messenger.