# Ok, how do I get rid of this pop up?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-pop-up/208520>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 20, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-pop-up/208520 "2003-10-20T15:45:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-pop-up/208520/1 "2003-10-20T15:45:25Z")

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It looks like a Windows question box, it is blue bordered with an OK button and X in the top right. IIRC “Messenger Service” is written on the top border. Mostly its ridiculous messages asking me to contact foriegners for sex, then once in a while an ad takes its place asking me to buy software to remove this popup ad.  
Can’t remember where I’ve been to pick it up and before you ask I’ve installed the Google toolbar and Spybot.

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**Author:** ![Antimanics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71c47a/32.png) [@Antimanics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antimanics)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-pop-up/208520/2 "2003-10-20T15:49:31Z")

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Try:

Start -\> Control Panel -\> Administrative Tools -\> Services

Then scroll down until you find a service called “Messanger.” Right-click on it, select “Properties.” Set the “Start up type” to “Disabled.”

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-pop-up/208520/3 "2003-10-20T15:56:04Z")

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If that is too intimidating, here is a little utility that does it for you:

[http://grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm](http://grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm)

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**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-get-rid-of-this-pop-up/208520/4 "2003-10-20T18:36:04Z")

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Ok, done that, i’ll check back if it is gone, cheers all! 🙂