# Windows Messenger Service **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 10, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327 "2003-11-10T02:09:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327/1 "2003-11-10T02:09:14Z")
After reading [http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/11/07/microsoft.popup.reut/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/11/07/microsoft.popup.reut/index.html), I realized that while I had switched off the Microsoft messenger service in my old computer, I have yet to do so in my current one, and I’m kind of… Well… Not remembering how. Can anyone throw me a bone on this one? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327/2 "2003-11-10T02:22:04Z")
See [http://www.microsoft.com/](http://www.microsoft.com/) Read the front page on the right sie. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327/3 "2003-11-10T02:24:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duckster \* > \*\*See [http://www.microsoft.com/](http://www.microsoft.com/) > > Read the front page on the right sie. \*\* Or, read the front page on the right \*side[/]. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327/4 "2003-11-10T04:02:35Z")
Or just go to Run, type in MSCONFIG, click the Services tab, and uncheck the messenger box. ---
**Author:** ![SkyBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@SkyBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkyBum)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327/5 "2003-11-10T04:37:32Z")
Here is an excellent site with info regarding all services, what they do, and advice for setting them up. The first link places all services into a handy chart. The second link breaks them down into a list with extended information on each. [url=http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm] [url=http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm] Helpful site, give it a look. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327/6 "2003-11-10T06:14:34Z")
Hrm. Am I correct in assuming, then, as I’m running '98 SE, this shouldn’t be a problem? All the listing seem to be 2k or XT. ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327/7 "2003-11-10T13:34:12Z")
The Messenger Service didn’t exist in Win98; there was something similar in older, pre-Win2k versions of Windows (WinPopup, maybe?), but that hasn’t been the subject of spammer exploits. (Not sure what WinMe has.) ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327/8 "2003-11-10T15:32:08Z")
XP, PRO, N2000, check url for instructions for each, etc. e.g. Windows XP Home ``` 1. Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel 2. Click Performance and Maintenance 3. Click Administrative Tools 4. Double click Services Scroll 5. down and highlight "Messenger" 6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties. 7. Click the STOP button. 8. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar 9. Click OK ``` [http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/docs/messagepopup/](http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/docs/messagepopup/) ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327/9 "2003-11-10T16:45:51Z")
Um, **handy** , the poster specifically said that he’s running Win98SE, so instructions about how to turn off Messenger Service are kind of like, you know, irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-messenger-service/212327/10 "2003-11-10T22:11:01Z")
Early Out, that is correct, however other people aren’t using SE, & they might find that info useful & won’t need another topic on it.