# How do I get rid of Windows Messenger? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 24, 2006, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778 "2006-10-24T23:46:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/1 "2006-10-24T23:46:15Z")
A program called Windows Messenger comes up all the time on my computer. One of our babysitters must have installed in awhile ago. I can’t figure out how to get rid of it. When I look at Add or Remove Programs, it doesn’t seem to be there. Its not in the menu of Startup programs. Where is this program and how can I get rid of it PERMANANTLY?! ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/2 "2006-10-24T23:52:32Z")
In the add/remove programs window, on the left pane there is a add/remove windows components. See if you can remove it from there. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/3 "2006-10-24T23:53:04Z")
Control Panel \> Administrative Tools \> Services. Scroll down to Windows Messenger Service and right-click it, then select Properties. Pull the dropdown menu next to Startup Type and select Disabled. Reboot. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/4 "2006-10-25T01:21:36Z")
I think the question was about the Windows Messenger instant messenging program and not the Windows Messenger Service. In that case, you need to run it to get rid of it. Once it’s running, click on the Tools menu and select Options. Click on the Preferences tab and clear the checkbox next to “Run this program when Windows starts” and then click OK. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/5 "2006-10-25T01:49:32Z")
[QUOTE=Dewey Finn] I think the question was about the Windows Messenger instant messenging program and not the Windows Messenger Service. [/QUOTE] Those are one and the same. The one you’re thinking of is called MSN Messenger; different beast entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/6 "2006-10-25T02:04:47Z")
No, Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger (which is now called Windows Live Messenger) are separate IM programs, and neither is the same as Messenger Service. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/7 "2006-10-25T02:11:55Z")
Sorry, but that’s not correct. Windows Messenger does have an IM client, but it is run by the Windows Messenger Service. You disable the service, you disable the client. The IM feature is a component of the service. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/8 "2006-10-25T02:18:51Z")
Shoot The Messenger > **[GRC | Shoot The Messenger  ](https://www.grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm)** > > Shoot The Messenger - Quicky and Easily Control Windows Messenger Service ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/9 "2006-10-25T02:19:31Z")
[Or not](http://ask-leo.com/whats_the_difference_between_msn_messenger_windows_messenger_and_windows_messenger.html). Ok, looks like you are right, **Dewey**. I wonder why, then, did Windows Messenger disappear when I disabled the service shortly after installing XP? It would seem there’s _some_ connection there. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/10 "2006-10-25T02:21:07Z")
On this computer, I’ve got the Windows Messenger icon in the system tray, but Messenger service is disabled. I can right-click on the Windows Messenger icon and click Exit, but it returns when I restart the computer, unless I uncheck “Run this program when Windows starts.” ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/11 "2006-10-25T03:58:05Z")
I’ve found the easiest way is to make sure the program isn’t running. (Control Alt Del, and ‘end task’) it. Then navigate to C:\program files\ and find it’s folder. I beleive it’s called Messenger and change it’s name. After you do that it _can’t_ run anymore. It’s by far the best/fastest/easiest fix I’ve found to date. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/12 "2006-10-25T10:11:40Z")
Thanks for the posts! I have never used Windows Messenger, but a friend of mine likes it. When she visited, she used it and it popped up for about a week after she left. I couldn’t find it at first in ‘Add / Remove Programs’ and its icon didn’t appear in the tool bar. I found it under ‘Windows Components’ (thanks Treis 🙂 ) and unchecked it. A Wizard told me the change had been noted. OK so far. ---
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/13 "2006-10-25T23:42:37Z")
[QUOTE=treis] In the add/remove programs window, on the left pane there is a add/remove windows components. See if you can remove it from there. [/QUOTE] Not very useful. Thanks anyway. ---
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/14 "2006-10-25T23:44:40Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] Control Panel \> Administrative Tools \> Services. Scroll down to Windows Messenger Service and right-click it, then select Properties. Pull the dropdown menu next to Startup Type and select Disabled. Reboot. [/QUOTE] Windows Messenger Service is not in the list. I will keep trying other options. ---
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/15 "2006-10-25T23:45:43Z")
[QUOTE=Dewey Finn] I think the question was about the Windows Messenger instant messenging program and not the Windows Messenger Service. In that case, you need to run it to get rid of it. Once it’s running, click on the Tools menu and select Options. Click on the Preferences tab and clear the checkbox next to “Run this program when Windows starts” and then click OK. [/QUOTE] This box is not clicked in the first place. Why isn’t this program listed in msconfig under Startup programs? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/16 "2006-10-26T00:01:48Z")
**solkoe** are you using Outlook Express? CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/17 "2006-10-26T00:41:56Z")
[QUOTE=solkoe] Windows Messenger Service is not in the list. I will keep trying other options. [/QUOTE] Do you have something called “Messenger” in the list of services? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/18 "2006-10-26T02:28:49Z")
**solkoe** , you replied to other people’s suggestions, but not mine. Did you try using the program I linked to? It works for me. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/19 "2006-10-26T05:07:39Z")
[QUOTE=solkoe] Windows Messenger Service is not in the list. I will keep trying other options. [/QUOTE] Wait, we _are_ talking about Windows XP here, right? I just assumed, but you never mentioned explicitly which OS you’re using. ---
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2006, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778/20 "2006-10-26T18:07:30Z")
I’m an idiot.\* tries\* - You had it. In the ADD/REMOVE section there is a Windows component section on the left side. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!! I didn’t. Oh - and always RESTART for changes to take place. :smack: Thanks for everyones help. I learned today! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-rid-of-windows-messenger/377778.md?page=2)