Can't shut down or remove Windows Messenger, interferes with MSN Messenger

[ArcticFox]

It's so irritating, Windows Messenger replaces MSN Messenger and it opens on boot and logs in whenever I'm online. Then someone messages me, not knowing what client I'm using, and it pops up via Windows Messenger. The thing doesn't show up in my task tray, so I have to shut it down via the Task manager after I sign onto MSN Messenger therefor cutting Windows Messenger's connection.

Hella annoying, any way to fix it? Messenger service is disabled, and there is nothing I see relating to Messenger or Windows messenger starting up in the Startup tab or Services of MSConfig.

[John Prophet]

XP?

I know there are a lot of links online about removing it altogether

[VHockey86]

Get a real client like gaim or trillian and remove windows messenger..
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_messenger_remove.htm

[ArcticFox]

XP Pro SP1.

BTW - Trillian sucks.

And thanks VHockey, I'll try that script out.

[VHockey86]

Trillian sucks? I guess you're entitled to your opinion, but its an extremely feature-rich and well-made program (at least the pro versions are). Probably takes some time to get used to.. but thats expected no matter what.

I just use gaim because its free and it works for me.. but even still there's a pretty big difference in quality/features from trillian.

Also, rather than using the script, just use the "run" command mentioned a little further down. Alot easier in my opinion, and it works fine. Just make sure you close the program before you try to do it.

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\inf\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

[ArcticFox]

Thanks, that did the trick.

[John Prophet]

so what exactly did that do? that removes msn altogether?

[Untouchab1e]

I made a program to remove windows messenger..

you can find it at http://home.no/earth657/setup.exe

Hope it helps