messenger still loads up at boot

What exactly is the name of the program that you are reffering to and who is the provider if this is not obvious from the name of the program?

I assume you are referring to Windows Messenger.  Do you have XP Pro or Home?  The process is different for both.

yes it is microsoft messenger. i have xp home

I assume you are referring to Windows Messenger.  Do you have XP Pro or Home?  The process is different for both.   For XP Pro, go to start, then run gpedit.msc.  Once it is running go to

That should disable it permantly for XP Pro.  If you have Home the process is more complicated.

This is the link from Microsoft's website on how to remove Windows Messenger

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302089

These are the instructions for XP Home.  If you are uncomfortable editing the registry I would not recommend this.  If you do, be sure to backup the registry just in case.

Windows Messenger 4.5 or later versions on a Windows XP Home Edition-based computer or on a Windows XP Professional-based computer

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Note This method prevents programs that use the Messenger APIs from using Windows Messenger. Outlook 2002, Outlook Express 6, and the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP are examples of programs that use these APIs and that depend on Windows Messenger.

1.Start Registry Editor. To do this, click Start, click Run, type regedit.exe, and then click OK.

If the following registry subkey already exists, go to step 6:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client2.Click the following registry subkey: 3.On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key. Type Messenger for the name of the new registry key, and then press ENTER.4.Click the following registry subkey: key: 5.On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key. Type Client for the name of the new registry key, and then press ENTER.6.Click the following registry subkey: key: 7.On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value. Type PreventRun for the name of the new DWORD value and then press ENTER.8.Right-click the PreventRun value that you created in step 7, and then click Modify. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.9.Quit Registry Editor.