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How to Disable Windows Messenger

September 13, 2003 by EvilSeph  
Filed under Tutorials, Windows Live Messenger

wlm-logo-260x260As long as I’ve been a part of the MSN Messenger community, one of the most asked questions is “How do I remove Windows Messenger from Windows XP?”

Most people tell you to do this:

  1. Go to Start > Run then type: RunDll32 advpack.dll
  2. LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf, BLC.
  3. Remove and press Enter

Although almost all of us already know the answer was to do that above, I’m here to tell you it’s wrong. Though removing Windows Messenger would seem a blessing, doing so would effectively lag your Outlook/Outlook Express as well as cause some Windows XP features to cease functioning.

Luckily there is an alternative. Instead of uninstalling Windows Messenger, you should hide it. The only way I know of so far would be to use an application called Disable Windows Messenger by Doug Knox.

Useful Links

If you have any ideas, comments, or questions just share them in our Windows Live Messenger forum.