How do I get rid of the Windows Messenger on Windows XP since it does

How do I get rid of the Windows Messenger on Windows XP since it does not appear in the Add/Remove Windows Components section of the Control Panel?
- Manny

This question was answered on May 13, 2002. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

The Windows Messenger program is Microsoft’s version of an Instant Messaging program The ‘IM’ category of software has become a battle ground for companies like Microsoft, AOL and Yahoo because millions of users are engaging in this form of ‘private chat’.

Instant messaging software allows you to communicate instantly with anyone that you add to your list whenever they are online These programs let you know when someone on your list is online and then gives you the ability to chat or exchange files with them.

The basic premise is that ‘if you can get users to use your IM client, you have instant access to millions of users on a real time basis so you can sell ads, gather information or do anything you want with them’.

With the launch of Windows XP, Microsoft decided to make the Windows Messenger a part of the default configuration and conveniently left out an easy method of removing it.

There are a number of ways to remove or disable the Windows Messenger in Windows XP that range from basic to very complicated.

The simplest way to keep it from launching and eating up resources on your computer is to remove or rename the entire Messenger program folder from your hard drive It is generally located at C:\Program Files\Messenger Make sure the program is not running when you attempt this! (Once you locate the folder, right-click on it and choose ‘Rename’ if you want to keep it for future use or ‘Delete’ if you want it to go away!)

Another method of removal is to make it appear in the Add/Remove Windows Components section of the Control Panel.

There is a simple hack for accomplishing this (Windows XP only):

1 Locate the C:\WINDOWS\inf\sysoc.inf file and open it by double-clicking on it.

2 Remove the word ‘hide’ from the line:

msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7

so that it looks like:

msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,7

3 Exit and save the file, then go to Add/Remove Windows Components in the Control Panel, which should now have an entry for removing the Windows Messenger.

Having done all of this, you should be aware that whenever you perform a Windows Update in Windows XP, Microsoft will include the 'Windows Messenger 4.6 Connectivity Update' as a 'Critical' item with the message that "strongly recommends that you download the update even if you don't use Windows Messenger."

Despite their claims of improving system performance even if you don’t use the Windows Messenger, there has been no evidence that backs up their claim If you see this item in the list of options during future Windows Update sessions, simply remove the checkmark to avoid having the Windows Messenger program re-installed in your system.

If you are a big fan of Instant Messaging and find yourself loading three of four different programs so that you can keep in touch with everyone, you may want to consider using the free program from Cerulean Studios called Trillian (www.trillian.cc).

This single program will allow you to interact with ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and IRC systems all at the same time.

Not only does it make it easier to deal with everyone at once, it can potentially reduce the load on the resources of your system, which is always a good thing!