Member Avatar for Kamex

I use GAIM and have no use for Windows Messenger. I have managed to make it hidden so that it at least does not clutter up my system tray, but it still runs in the background, which annoys me to no end. Is there anyway I can completly remove it? And by remove, I mean remove any trace of it from my system?

I am using Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2. It is installed on E:, which is a large 70gb partition on my first hard drive.

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Dani AI

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Several good suggestions already appear in this thread — is correct that the component can be removed from Add/Remove Windows Components, rightly points out the separate Messenger “service,” and mentioned a one‑line command that invokes the messenger INF. A few clarifications and a safe, practical sequence will help if the goal is truly “no trace.”

First, back up and make a System Restore point. Uninstall the Windows Messenger component (Add/Remove Components) and disable the Messenger service if you do not need the Net Send functionality. After that, look for leftovers: use Task Manager or Process Explorer to identify any running msmsgs.exe process and note its full path; check startup entries with msconfig or Sysinternals Autoruns and remove any Messenger entries; search the registry (export before editing) for “Messenger” or “msmsgs” under the usual Run keys and Uninstall entries and remove those keys only after confirming they point to Messenger. If files remain in \%SystemRoot%\System32 or in the system file cache (the dllcache folder), Windows File Protection may prevent deletion while running — boot to Safe Mode, Recovery Console, or a WinPE/live environment to delete both the system32 copy and the cached copy so the file does not get silently restored.

Finally, watch Windows Update (hide any Messenger-related offers) and verify shortcuts/start menu entries are gone. These extra steps are only needed if you want absolutely no traces; for most users uninstall + disabling the service (the approach and suggested) is sufficient and safest. Proceed carefully with registry edits and protected‑file deletions — keep backups and a recovery plan before removing system files.

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Member Avatar for nanosani

You can uninstall windows messenger from the add/remove windows components ...

Member Avatar for Phaelax

Open "Computer Management", click on "Services and Applications" then "Services". Then disable messenger. Is that the same messenger we're talking about here? Or we talking msn messenger?

Member Avatar for ugmo

Go to Start/Run, and type:

rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection BLC.Remove 128 %SystemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf


This command will remove messenger

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