Why can't I close Windows messenger?

[EGDEric]

For some reason, I can't close windows messenger without using task manager. If I try to shut it down with right-click->exit, a message comes up saying that I can't close it, because 1 or more programs might be using it, like Internet Explorer, MSN explorer, outlook, etc.. But none of these programs are open! Not only that, but if I go to the startup items in msconfig, I can see that msmsgs (windows messenger) is there every time! Even if I take it off, it comes right back whenever I restart my computer! What's the deal? I have Service pack 1a installed, but not 2. I didn't quite like how Sp2 would have windows messenger run automatically in the background, automatically signing me in as soon as I started up.

 

[bcastner]

didn't quite like how Sp2 would have windows messenger run automatically in the background, automatically signing me in as soon as I started up."

This is not true of XP SP2. In fact, you get quite effective Group Poliy objects for control of Messenger under SP2.

 

[linney]

Try some of these.

302089 - How to Prevent Windows Messenger from Running on a Windows XP-Based Computer

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302089&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

327390 - Windows Messenger Starts When You Start Outlook Express After You Remove Access to

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;327390&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Start, Run and enter GPEDIT.MSC

For "per machine" restriction, go to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Messenger. For "per user" restriction, go to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Messenger.

You can now modify whether it starts initially and/or whether its to run at all.

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_messenger_remove.htm

How To uninstall Windows Messenger completly from your computer
faq779-1380

The other method to uninstall it completely,
Go to Start > Run, then type in this and run it. (one Line)

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

 

[EGDEric]

Linney, I was going to follow your link on how to prevent windows messenger from starting up, but then I saw your link for how to uninstall it completely, and skipped right to that one, thank you! BTW, will MSN messenger still work if you uninstall windows messenger?

This is not true of XP SP2. In fact, you get quite effective Group Poliy objects for control of Messenger under SP2.

Really? Ok, maybe I reacted to soon those many months ago last summer when I first installed SP2. It would automatically start windows messenger (in the background) AND sign me in when windows started up, not even letting me close it. So I said screw it, I uninstalled service pack 2. I then brought my computer to my friend's house to start a LAN game with him. His copy of windows XP however - unlike mine - was not a legal copy. His computer suddenly got "zapped" and couldn't do any sort of networking, couldn't even access the internet until he reinstalled windows. My computer was fine, so we guessed that maybe Microsoft purposefully put a "zap illegal copies of me" feature into service pack 2. We could be wrong... but if it had been a virus/spyware that had done that, you'd think that my computer would have suffered the same problem.

 

[linney]

Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger are different programs.

I don't think SP2 has installed anything like you refer to in the episode with your friend's illegal copy of XP.

They are going to make it harder for illegal copies to download Windows Updates, and already have the ability to check for genuine versions.

The Genuine Microsoft Software site:

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx