How to remove windows messenger from XP
Submitted by admin on Fri, 02/08/2008 - 13:00.
Windows XP messenger is one of those programs that is running against your will. I don't know why Microsoft put it to run by default as probably not many people is using it as there are much more better and more popular alternatives. It seems that getting rid of it isn't so simple but possible.
- First off all open Windows Explorer and navigate to the %SYSTEMROOT% \INF folder. Don't get confused - the word between percentage signs is a system variable which holds a path to Windows directory. By default for most of users it is located in C:\Windows. So just go directly to C:\WINDOWS\inf folder. If you cannot find it, probably it is hidden. So you have to make hidden folders visible. For this in Windows explorer go to Tools menu and open Folder options.
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In the dialog window navigate to View tab and in advanced settings window locate Hidden files and folders where you have to check Show hidden files and folders. Press OK and in explorer window you should see all folders including hidden ones.
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Now go to C:\WINDOWS\inf folder find sysoc.inf file. I recommend backup it if something goes wrong. After you backed up this file open it with simple notepad and locate line which starts with msmsgs.
- As you can see at the end of line is word hide (interesting why messenger is not hidden?) Just delete word hide leaving commas together:
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,,7
- Now save file and close it.
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Next step is to open Add/Remove Programs which is located In Control Panel (accessed from Start menu). In opened window press Add/Remove Windows Components icon.
- In the Windows Component Wizard locate Windows Messenger and uncheck it.
- Press next and wait while windows removes it. Then press finish.
Now close Outlook and Internet Explorer so you could close Messenger from status bar. Windows Messenger won't start again.
Re: How to remove windows messenger from XP
i used to just rename the file msmsgs.exe to some other one
which is located in folder C:\Program Files\Messenger
but your method is systematic approach thanks for sharing
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Raj