Removing Windows Messenger from task bar

Hi. in my taskbar, there is a Windows Messenger logo. Saying I'm not signed in. I don't see it in my startup (msconfig) I don't use messenger anyways. How can it remove it??

 

How to prevent Windows Messenger from running on a Windows XP-based computer

 

Hi Whiskeyman. I tried that registry fix and it says " Windows cannot find gpedit.msc," I have all the lastest updates.

XP Home

 

XP Home doesn't have gpedit. Have you checked in windows messenger's options. Tools>options>preferences and uncheck the line that says run windows messenger at startup. Also, if you use Outlook Express, open OE, click tools options and on the general tab uncheck the line that says automatically log onto windows messenger.

If it still starts after this, do you use Norton Antivirus? If so, I seem to remember something about it having a setting in it's options for it to monitor windows messenger. Set it do it doens't monitor it. Some have said that it causes messenger to start.

Still run at startup? Uninstall it. By default you can't see it in windows setup in add>remove programs (it's hidden) but you can unhide it. There's a file in your windows\inf folder (or winnt\inf folder) named sysoc.inf. Find it, back it up and then open it in notepad (it may open in notepad if you double click on it) and find the following line in it.

Code:

msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7

Remove the word "hide" from it but leave both colons. When you're done it should look like this.

Code:

msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,,7

Save the file and close it. It should now be visible in add>remove programs (windows setup button) so you can uninstall it. If you try to uninstall it be sure to close it first. To do this, right click on the messenger icon in the system tray and choose exit.

 

Hi Zander! It was already unchecked in messesger options. Thanks for that tip about finding it in outlook express. I unchecked it and she's all gone!!

Thanks Marty

 

You're welcome Marty. That thing in OE is a sneaky one.

Perhaps the one that was running is MSN Messenger instead of Windows Messenger? If so, the remedy to kill it is the same.

 

Zander, said it was messenger. Thanks again for the great tip which I'm sure I'll use in the future.