Computer and Software Support


Prevent MSN Messenger from starting

Got this tip from winsupersite.com

To prevent MSN messenger from starting either remove it from Add/Remove programs (after enabling it in add/Remove program) or delete the registry key. To delete the registry key do the following.

  1. Click Start
  2. Click on Run
  3. Type REGEDIT
  4. Click on OK
  5. Double-click on HKEY_CURRENT_USER
  6. Double-click on Software
  7. Double-click on Microsoft
  8. Double-click on Windows
  9. Double-click on CurrentVersion
  10. Double-click on Run
  11. Highlight MsnMsgr (on the right pane)
  12. Hit the Delete key
  13. Say Yes
  14. Reboot the computer

If the above doesn't work, here is an article from Microsoft

This is a Microsoft article reprinted here

Article ID : 302089
Last Review : November 11, 2004
Revision : 1.0
Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry,  to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Description of Windows Registry (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986/) Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

On This Page

 

SUMMARY

 

This article describes how to prevent Windows Messenger from running. By default, Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition install Windows Messenger. The user interface does not let you remove or uninstall Windows Messenger.

When you install Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows adds a new feature that is named "Set Program Access and Defaults" to the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel. You can use this feature to remove Windows Messenger from the Start menu, from the desktop, or from other locations. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
332003 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/332003/) How to change your default programs and to enable or remove access to Microsoft Windows and non-Microsoft programs

Return to Top

 

MORE INFORMATION


To prevent Windows Messenger from running, use the method appropriate for your version of Windows Messenger and your version of Windows.

Return to Top

 

Windows Messenger 4.0 or later versions on a Windows XP Professional-based computer


Use the Group Policy (gpedit.msc) snap-in to turn on the Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run option.

Notes
  • To use the Group Policy snap-in, you must be logged on to the computer using an account that has administrator permissions.
  • This method prevents programs that use the Messenger APIs from using Windows Messenger. Microsoft Outlook 2002, Microsoft Outlook Express 6, and the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP are examples of programs that use these APIs and that depend on Windows Messenger.

To turn on the Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run option, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start
  2. Click Run
  3. Type gpedit.msc
  4. Click OK
  5. In Group Policy, expand Local Computer Policy
  6. Expand Computer Configuration
  7. Expand Administrative Templates
  8. Expand Windows Components
  9. Expand Windows Messenger
  10. Double-click Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run
  11. Click Enabled
  12. Click OK
  13. Click on File
  14. Click Exit

Return to Top

 

Windows Messenger 4.0 on a Windows XP Home Edition-based computer

NOTE: This method does not prevent users from manually running Windows Messenger, but it does prevent Windows Messenger from running automatically every time that you start Windows.

Change the preferences in Windows Messenger. To do this, follow these steps.
 

  1. Start Windows Messenger
  2. Click on Tools
  3. Click Options
  4. Click preferences tab
  5. Click to clear the Run this program when Windows starts
  6. Click OK

 

If you use Outlook Express or Outlook 2002, Windows Messenger may start automatically every time that you run Outlook Express or Outlook. To prevent Windows Messenger from starting automatically, follow these steps:

 

Outlook Express

  1. Click Tools
  2. Click Options
  3. click the General tab
  4. Click to clear the Automatically log on to Windows Messenger
  5. Click OK

 

Outlook 2002

  1. Click Tools
  2. Click Options
  3. Click Other tab
  4. Click to clear the Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook
  5. Click OK

Return to Top

 

Windows Messenger 4.5 or later versions on a Windows XP Home Editon-based computer or  on a Windows XP Professional-based computer

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Note This method prevents programs that use the Messenger APIs from using Windows Messenger. Outlook 2002, Outlook Express 6, and the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP are examples of programs that use these APIs and that depend on Windows Messenger.

  1. Click Start
  2. Click Run
  3. Type REGEDIT
  4. Click OK
  5. If the following exists HKEY_lOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger \Client  go to Step 21
  6. Double-click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
  7. Double-click Software
  8. Double-click Policies
  9. Highlight Microsoft
  10. Click Edit
  11. Click New
  12. Click Key
  13. Type Messenger
  14. Press Enter
  15. Double-click Messenger
  16. Click Edit
  17. Click New
  18. Click Key
  19. Type Client
  20. Press Enter
  21. Double-click Client
  22. Click Edit
  23. Click New
  24. Click DWORD Value
  25. Type PreventRun
  26. Press Enter
  27. Right click PreventRun
  28. Click Modify
  29. In the Value data box, type 1
  30. Click OK
  31. Quit Registry Editor
 

APPLIES TO

  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.5
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.6