Yes this is dumb and sometimes useless but many people dont know how! 4

[NoobX]

When people firt boot there brand new copy of windows xp pro they start getting these little pop up windows! The first thing that comes to mind is Spyware! Nope! When ever you first install xp and start access to the internet you will get these little pop up windows that are from microsoft advertisement (microsoft claims that it isnt from them)! What you do to shut them off is quite simple! This is the path C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs. Goto run and type services.msc then scroll down to messenger click it then just click disable! and your done! Many people ask if it is from spyware but it is just default from Windows XP

 

[TechNerd10]

Thanks NoobX,
I owne a computer repair shop and I calls everyday asking if it is spyware! That is a helpfull tip!

 

[linney]

SP2 versions of Windows XP will have automatically disabled the Messenger service.

 

[NoobX]

Ahh thanks linney I did not know that!

 

[volcano69]

Yes, but many people like myslef rely on the messenger service to utilise instant messaging through networks. Since SP2 this service is disabled, and I have to manually start it every time I reboot. Anyone know how to make this change permanent?

 

[bcastner]

Start button, Run, services.msc
. start the Messenger Service
. set its Startup state to Automtic