Introduction: How to Stop Windows Live Messenger From Popping Up on Startup.
I have been recently annoyed with my Windows Live Messenger popping up on startup, cause I don't want to sign in every time I get on my laptop... So, I found a way on how to disable/enable this action, and I thought I would share it with the Instructables community!
P.S. I use Vista.
To make this work on XP, gmoon stated:
"In XP, you can also disable messenger from "Services", which is found under Performance and Maintenance -> Administrative Tools..."
Antagonizer stated how to remove it from startup in a different way. He said:
1. sign on to windows live messenger
2. click the down arrow that lets you select online, busy, away, etc. and go to the bottom and select "options"
3. Choose the "general" tab
4. uncheck the box beside, "Automatically run Windows Live Messenger when I log on to Windows.
5. Click the 'Accept' button.
...But that, for some odd reason, doesn't work for me. If it doesn't work for you...use my way. :)
Step 1: First
First, get to your desktop.
Step 2: Control Panel
Now go to your Start Menu, and select the Control Panel
Step 3: Change Startup Programs
Now click on "Change Startup Programs"
Step 4: Software Explorer
This will now bring up "Software Explorer."
Step 5: Find Messenger and Disable/Enable It
Now scroll through the list to find "Messenger" Once you have found it, click the "disable" button. To enable it again, just click "enable", or if you don't ever want it to pop up EVER then click "remove."
Step 6: Finished!
Now Messenger won't pop up every time you start up your computer! Enjoy...:)
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45 Comments
2 years ago
Very helpful tips,
I will use the same to solve issues of my company Indiaaccess Servers and Hostasp Servers
Thanks for your info
10 years ago on Introduction
Much easier for Vista - 1) click the down arrow at the top that indicates whether available, busy, etc. 2) click "more options" at the bottom of the scroll down box. 3) select "Sign in" from the box on the left. 4) uncheck "Start Messenger when I log on to my computer."
10 years ago on Introduction
the only way to prevent it from coming back every time you have to do a restore is to add and remove programs then find windows live and uninstall then you can select to just uninstall the messenger pain in my ars part of it, microsuck way to make something too annoying inconceivabley annoying to the point of having to either kill it or you gates or both cease and desist the force your asses to chat freaking wenus
11 years ago on Step 3
This is pathetically painful (not you Hoboman) having to get a whole new page for six new words. Instructables is only interested in selling its upgrades. I don't have the time needed to load the pages bloated with advertisements and gimmicks to read six words. So it's goodby from me....
11 years ago on Introduction
Thanks Hoboman! Worked!
14 years ago on Introduction
In XP, you can also disable messenger from "Services", which is found under Performance and Maintenance -> Administrative Tools...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I'm in XP and that doesn't work for me. In fact, it already has "startup type disabled" and service status is "stopped"
Your instructions are lacking but you'll find them here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/stopspam.mspx
Unfortunately, it doesn't work in XP.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I believe you are referring to the Messenger Service (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messenger_service) which is not the same as MSN Messenger, Windows Live Messenger and whatever other names MS has given their IM client.
The messenger service allows for pop-up messages to be sent across a LAN or AD Domain, usually for administrative purposes. ie: "Everyone please log off by 7:00 so that we may begin maintenance."
13 years ago on Step 6
Okay, I'm going to the control panel, then programs, but there is no button saying "change startup programs". The only thing there is "uninstall". Is this something to do with windows 7 (which I am using)?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Yes, I have since upgraded to Windows 7 and have a solution for you. But I have a question. What edition do you have? My solution may not work if you have home basic.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Ah, therein lies the problem, as I am almost certain I'm using Home basic. Can I hear your solution anyways?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Here's a different solution that should work for all versions. First, open the Control Panel and click on the Administrative Tools icon, then click on System Configuration. Chose the Startup tab, and deselect Windows Live Messenger and click OK.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Hoboman...Many Thanks - this worked for me. Hooray!!!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
That worked. Thanks a ton!
12 years ago on Introduction
Just download CCleaner. It has loads of features
13 years ago on Introduction
Delete it from yr start menu as follows:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows Live
Youll see what to do. Happy New Year...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
awesome i did that. i didnt push enter cuz when i did it talked about shutting my computer down and i was like no lol. for my Windows 7 laptop, i typed that in on the start menu, in the search bar at the bottom of the start menu and it brought me to all this windows crap and i found the Windows Messenger one and i deleted it. but i needed the administrators password who is my dad and we both just have the same password so thx a bunch. :)
13 years ago on Introduction
I have vista and Norton 360. To stop messenger I opened my Norton, clicked on Tasks then Startup Manager. This gives you the option to turn off programmes you don't want on startup. I no longer am annoyed by the MSN Messenger window and it has quickened my Laptop's start time (O.K. maybe by only microseconds!!). Hope this helps someone.
13 years ago on Introduction
Somehow I do not have windows live messenger on my computer. I may have deleted it long ago. But I need to disable the extremely annoying Windows Live sign-in page that has suddenly started popping-up every time I try to open my MSN email. I don't think I want to totally disable Windows Live since I would apparently lose all of my email contacts. I've been struggling with this for days! Can anyone offer advice?
13 years ago on Introduction
Maybe this is old news, but I found that if in messenger you go to "tools" then "options" then select the "general" tab, and then then un-tick the box that says "Automatically start messenger when I start windows" it stops it!
Worked for me!
For the record - doing run "msconfig" and slecting "don't run on startup" for messneger never worked ...