Hiya
This is a little strange. In my icon bar I cant see any version of MSN running but when I go to run program MSN 7.0 messenger from the start button it signs me on saying its closed the other version that is running.
Its a real nuisance as it seems to come on when Im at work and I cant tell Im logged in and suddenly friends will IM me!!
Any suggestions as to how I can get rid of it - it doesnt seem to be showing a previous version of mSN in my programme list either.
Many thanks

Windows Messenger is running as a service in the background.

Control Panel > Admin Tools > Services.
Stop Windows Messenger service and Disable it.

Done

:D

hiya - is already down as "disabled"!

the windows messenger service is nothing to do with MSM or the windows messenger application.

run msconfig and take a look in your startup options, disable msm or messenger if it's in there.

Download a program called xp antispy, that will let you switch it off along with many other things.

That just sounds dodgy to me, personally I wouldn't go near things like that.


I am presuming you are on XP and have downloaded MSN, you have also set MSN to automatically log you in am I correct?

The problem is Windows Messenger, (different to MSN) is an integral part of the OS and will be logging you in before MSN does.

Under Windows XP (I think it is SP1) there is now the option to uninstall integrated programs such as Windows Messenger which will solve your problem. It should be under programs on the higher level 'Set Program Access and defaults'


For one of the posters above :- Windows messenger service is something left over from development and as you quite rightly said it is wise to switch this off.

Strictly speaking it's not left over, it can and does have uses in a corporate network environment, but isn't generally of much use to home users.

Are you running Outlook or Outlook Express? If so, you may have to go into the options, and uncheck the box that says something about opening Windows Messenger....I'm at work, and can't remember the exact wording, nor where you will actually find the box that needs to be unchecked.

This is probably one of the worst threads I've read on here, full of wrong information and I doubt it answers the OPs question...

He/she starts Messenger 7 and it says a version of Messenger is already running. He/she doesn't really want to uninstall Messenger or stop it running completely...

Personally, I'm not aware of Messenger running as a service in the background. Have you got 2 little arrows << next to or close to the clock? If you cick that, do you see messenger?

Skatiechik: xp antispy isn't dodgy and is probably one of the most useful programs written :)

Windows messenger is in no way related to MS Messenger. Its not left over from development, its a networking tool to allow administrators to send messages to other network users, but it also allowed spammers to send messages to users.

hiya
thanks for the replies guys but still not fixed. i dont have the two << arrows next to the clock. Im on Windows xp with service pack 2 if that means anything?!

when you believe that Messenger isn't running (ie, you can't see the green icon), press control-alt-delete and (if the task manager doesn't appear) then click 'task manager'. Click the 'processes' tab and see if you can see msmsg.exe.

if it is, look at the username column and see if it says SYSTEM or LOCAL SERVICE or your username or something else. you dont need to tell us what your username is tho :)

highlight msmsg.exe and click end process. click yes to confirm.

now try starting messenger 7 and see if it complains that something is running.

let us know what happens when you do all that :)

wait, i could have misunderstood the question and confused this already awful thread :)

does it say you are logged in somewhere else and its logging you out? do you log in to messenger at home and at work for example? you can't log in to the same messenger account more than once.

Originally posted by LL200
This is probably one of the worst threads I've read on here, full of wrong information and I doubt it answers the OPs question...

I think it is you who may be giving the wrong information here.

Originally posted by LL200
He/she starts Messenger 7 and it says a version of Messenger is already running. He/she doesn't really want to uninstall Messenger or stop it running completely...


Yes they do want to uninstall if they are using MSN messenger as there is a conflict between the two (windows and MSN messenger) when it is set to login automatically upon starting windows.

Originally posted by LL200
Personally, I'm not aware of Messenger running as a service in the background. Have you got 2 little arrows << next to or close to the clock? If you cick that, do you see messenger?

Windows messenger 'service' (not windows messenger and not MSN messenger) can run in the background


Originally posted by LL200
Windows messenger is in no way related to MS Messenger. Its not left over from development, its a networking tool to allow administrators to send messages to other network users, but it also allowed spammers to send messages to users.

Windows messenger is related to MSN messenger in that they both do the same job. I think you are talking about windows messenger 'service' here.

Yes they do want to uninstall if they are using MSN messenger as there is a conflict between the two (windows and MSN messenger) when it is set to login automatically upon starting windows.

Possibly, if its MSN -explorer- thats running, which is what I was trying to find out by my later post, rather than making assumptions about whats happening.

The problem is here isn't with any of us but with Microsoft producing 3 similar but fundamentally different applications with very VERY similar names - MSN Messenger, MSN Explorer and Windows Messenger Service.

There is MSN Messenger (version 7 currently IIRC)
Windows Messeger for network messages but can be (ab)used over the internet.

Windows messenger can log in to as if its MSN Messenger, this is what is logging in first then you choose to login to MSN Messenger and it says you have logged out, (you have but from Windows Messenger.)

I agree with Skatie Chick on this rather than Cyclone (no offence) :)

Originally posted by LL200
The problem is here isn't with any of us but with Microsoft producing 3 similar but fundamentally different applications with very VERY similar names - MSN Messenger, MSN Explorer and Windows Messenger Service.

Too right there :thumbsup: Lets blame it on Bill Gates :D

Originally posted by Bookey
There is MSN Messenger (version 7 currently IIRC)
Windows Messeger for network messages but can be (ab)used over the internet.

Windows messenger can log in to as if its MSN Messenger, this is what is logging in first then you choose to login to MSN Messenger and it says you have logged out, (you have but from Windows Messenger.)

I agree with Skatie Chick on this rather than Cyclone (no offence) :)

lots of network admins would disagree, the windows messenger service does have legitimate uses.

The Windows Messenger service allows programs to inform a computer's operator of an event. For example, printer software may use it to pop up print job status, Exchange may use it to pop up "new mail" notifications, an Administrator may pop up a "system going down" message, or anti-virus software may use it to pop up virus warnings. The trouble lies in that it allows anybody, anywhere to pop up these windows without authentication and without the ability to authorize who can do it. While this may be useful in some environments, it is also easily exploited and abused.


from here (http://www.jmu.edu/computing/security/info/winmsg.shtml)

You'd think I didn't know what I was talking about or work in the IT industry :loopy:

Agreed it does have legit uses but I have worked for many large blue chips and none of them have even used it.

I also work in the IT industry, as within IT there is more than 1 way to solve the same problem.
Some thing as simple as shutting down a PC can be done in many ways.

And to agree with skatie, lets blame Bill ;)

I think poor redhotjo must be mightily confused now by all the conflicting advice that's been given on this thread.

redhotjo, you haven't said whether you are running Outlook or Outlook Express, and if you have searched for the check box I mentioned earlier in this thread.

May I suggest that you open Windows Messenger (you don't have to log-in), and click on Tools, Options, click on the Preferences tab, and make sure that the check box beside "Run Windows Messenger when Windows starts" is unchecked.

As for Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger not being similar....they are similar in most ways, including the whereabouts of updates, i.e. MSN.

I think some guys are getting confused between Windows messenger which is a chat program the come as standard in windows XP, and the messenger service which was a badly designed system for sending popups to particular IP addresses and was subsequently disabled by a windows update because spammers began to abuse it. ( was a good idea in a corporate network but crazy for the internet)

hiya guys
thanks for all the help
I dont run outlook or outlook express.
I do think its sorted tho! Tried a variety of your suggestions but Im not sure at which point success was had!!! Its now sorted
Thanks once again!

but Im not sure at which point success was had!!!

shucks. would have been nice to know who was right ;)