Downloading Windows Messenger

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To remove Windows Messenger:

Go to Start, Run, and enter one line:

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

And press enter and OK to any prompts.

To reinstall Windows Messenger:

Go HERE and download the latest version of Windows Messenger.

I would personally recommend disabling Windows Messenger, and trying MSN Messenger which is a far superior IM client.

Bibek.

Thanks!  I will try what you said.   I think I will give the MSN Messenger a try, I had it on my previous computer and had very few problems.

You suggested disabling Windows Messenger. Are you saying there is way to disable it without unistalling it?

You can disable Windows Messenger with ease if you have Windows XP Professional:

Start, Run, gpedit.msc

Computer Configuration/Adminstrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Messenger

Enable both the Policies on the right.

NOTE: This will cause a delay when Outlook Express opens (if you use the contacts pane) so if there is a delay, use this fix:

Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT

Navigate to:

HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Right click in the right pane and select New, Dword value.  Give it the
name Hide Messenger   Double click this new entry and set the value to
2.  This step is needed to prevent a long delay in opening OE if you use
the Contacts pane.

If you want to disable Windows Messenger and have Windows XP Home Edition there is a registry fix, but I wouldn't want to mess around with the registry, so try this:

The default location for Windows Messenger is C:\Program Files\Messenger. When XP wants to fire up Messenger it will try and access the files at the default location. To prevent Messenger from loading, just rename the Messenger folder to something new; MessengerDisabled has worked for me. If you want to use Messenger at some point down the road, simply rename the folder to Messenger and you're back in business.

**None of these methods will remove Windows Messenger**

Bibek.