Disabling Windows Messenger on a Windows XP machine

by Greg Shultz | Apr 12, 2006 7:00:00 AM

Tags: Operating systems, Microsoft Outlook, Greg Shultz, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Messenger, Microsoft Windows XP, group policy, Group Policy Editor, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: It's the app that won’t go away. If you’ve removed Windows Messenger—or so you’ve thought—in favor of a different chat and videoconferencing application but still can’t seem to get rid of it, Greg Shultz will tell you how to banish it from your Windows XP machine for good.

If you're using MSN Messenger as your chat and videoconferencing tool, you may never use Windows Messenger anymore and have removed it from the startup group to keep it out of your way. However, you may have seen it pop up on occasion and had to struggle with closing it down. The reason that Windows Messenger makes these impromptu appearances is that Outlook, Outlook Express and even some Microsoft Web pages can still make it load automatically. Fortunately, you can banish Windows Messenger from your desktop by making an alteration to the local group policy with the Group Policy Editor. Here's how:

1. Access the Run dialog box by pressing [Windows]R

2. In the Open text box type Gpedit.msc and click OK to launch the Group Policy Editor.

3. Go to Computer Configuration | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Windows Messenger.

4. Double-click the Do Not Allow Windows Messenger To Be Run setting.

5. In the resulting dialog box, select the Enabled option, and click OK

6. Close the Group Policy Editor.

Note: This tip applies only to Windows XP Professional.

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Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Remove MSN via script damon@... | 04/12/06

A nifty little program Wauchula | 04/12/06

topic paragraph lee.laird@... | 04/17/06

Agree limodriver17@... | 06/01/06

MSN Gaming support@... | 04/20/06

Just modify Windows components installed Artymonn | 04/20/06

2 More ways to Stop Windows Messenger topdog5993@... | 04/26/06

Use Group Policy.... msft | 06/24/07

More info blue-knight | 04/13/06

No impact Greg Shultz | 04/13/06

Didn't Work cabratt@... | 04/13/06

Never Mind cabratt@... | 04/13/06

gpedit not available service@... | 04/13/06

Any options ? James.T.Marsh@... | 04/13/06

~I do this -(& it's pretty simple)~ TracyF | 04/13/06

FANTASTIC Fix! So Easy madskillls@... | 04/19/06

I did the same thing loca31@... | 04/20/06

Simple really cywelchjr | 04/13/06

services.msc wildatlarge@... | 04/20/06

Too much work bfleshner@... | 04/20/06

Uninstall Messenger for good ronholla@... | 04/13/06

There is an impact for Windows Media Edition itperson | 04/26/06

Something to do with the remote control OnTheRopes | 04/26/06

What about this...... RyanDM | 04/13/06

My Suggestion Hart L | 04/13/06

Forget the policy dewers@... | 04/20/06

Windows Messenger vs. MSN Messenger Greg Shultz | 04/13/06

True, however cywelchjr | 04/13/06

would you know if MSN messenger.... UncleRob | 04/20/06

MS chitcanned E2K messenger a long time ago... dewers@... | 04/20/06

Remote Assistance ???? Bob.Deveen@... | 04/13/06

Excellent. Tony Hopkinson | 04/13/06

Not true-send RA request as e-mail attachment ronholla@... | 04/13/06

Remote Assistance Bob.Deveen@... | 04/13/06

another option ttiller | 04/13/06

fixing XP again jackie40d@... | 04/13/06

"Shoot the messinger" does it 4 free! michael_orton@... | 04/13/06

Different thing entirely cywelchjr | 04/13/06

Uninstall Windows Messenger cywelchjr | 04/13/06

beat me to it mindilator@... | 04/13/06

Shoot the Messenger cywelchjr | 04/13/06

Steve Gibson Shot the Messenger Finell | 04/20/06

always wsomeone looking to flame... dewers@... | 04/20/06

Disable messenger service tkread@... | 04/21/06

Incomplete solution joel.francis@... | 04/24/06

Just rename Messenger folder in Program Files directory Mike O'Connor | 04/14/06

Windows Messenger - have it your way. deepsand | 04/20/06

I keep it Simple Aaron A Baker | 07/31/06

RE: Disabling Windows Messenger on a Windows XP machine jedurham36@... | 06/23/07