How to Remove Windows Messenger in Windows XP, Vista and 7

Even if you never use Windows Messenger, the program may start automatically when you boot your computer or start Windows programs. It's a fairly easy process to stop this annoying problem. If you have Windows XP, Windows Messenger comes included with Service Pack 2. In Windows Vista and 7, Windows Live Messenger is a feature of Windows Live Essentials. The program doesn't appear in Windows XP's "Add or Remove Programs" or Vista and 7's "Uninstall or change a program" screen or "Turn Windows features on or off" window. However, Windows Messenger can be uninstalled or removed from Windows startup to prevent it from starting automatically and using up system resources.

Windows XP

In Windows XP, you can't uninstall Windows Messenger using the user interface. However, you can remove Messenger so that it won't run automatically or appear under "All Programs."

In Windows XP, click "Start," "Control Panel" and "Add or Remove Programs." Then click "Add/Remove Windows Components." Scroll down and remove the check mark beside "Windows Messenger." Click "Next." This will remove access to Windows Messenger in the Start Menu.

If you have Windows XP Professional, click "Start," "Run" and type "gpedit.msc." Click "OK." Under "Group Policy," click to expand "Local Computer Policy," "Computer Configuration," "Administrative Templates," "Windows Components" and "Windows Messenger." Right-click "Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run" and select "Properties." Click "Enabled" and then "OK."

If you're running Windows XP Home Edition, start Windows Messenger. Select "Tools," then "Options." Click the "Preferences" tab. Clear the check mark beside "Run Windows Messenger when Windows starts." If this option doesn't appear in Windows Messenger, click "Start," "Control Panel" then "Performance and Maintenance." Click "Administrative Tools." Select "Services." Scroll down and select "Messenger." Right click the entry and select "Properties." Change the "Startup Type" to "Disabled." Click "OK."

You may also need to disable Messenger from running automatically in Outlook and Express. In Outlook, click "Tools," then "Options." Select the "Other" tab. Clear the check mark beside "Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook," then click "OK." In Outlook Express, click "Tools," "Options" and select the "General" tab. Clear the check beside "Automatically log on to Windows Messenger" and click "OK."

Windows Vista and 7

Windows Live Messenger can only be removed through the Windows Live Essentials uninstall interface. In both Windows Vista and Windows 7, the methods to remove Messenger are the same. Before you can uninstall Messenger, though, you must make sure that your version of Windows is up to date. Click the "Start" button and type "Windows Update." Select "Windows Update" from the "Programs" menu. If no updates are currently ready to install on your computer, select "Check for updates." Otherwise, click the blue link to see the available updates. Continue updating and restarting Windows until you have the latest version of Windows and Windows Live Essentials installed.

When the update process is complete, click the "Start" button and select "Control Panel." Then click "Programs," "Programs and Features" and scroll down to select "Windows Live Essentials." Click "Uninstall/Change." Then select "Remove one or more Windows Live programs." Select "Messenger" from the list and click "Uninstall." Windows Live Messenger will then be removed from your computer.

For more information, read How to Troubleshoot Computer Startup Problems in Windows XP and Vista and How to Change Themes in Windows XP and Vista.

Sources:

"How to prevent Windows Messenger from running on a Windows XP-based computer." Microsoft.com
"How to uninstall Windows Live Messenger." Microsoft.com