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Disable Messenger

Defeating Windows Messenger SPAM

Annoying messages like the one shown at the bottom of this page are invading computer screens all over the world. These "messenger spam" ads can appear on your Windows computer screen without warning when you least expect it - like while teaching a class or delivering a presentation. They aren't part of an e-mail message; they just appear on your screen. If you have an Internet connection and are running Windows with its Messenger Service enabled, anyone in the world can make a message pop up on your computer any time, even if e-mail, chat, and your web browser are closed.

By default, Microsoft Windows operating systems (98, ME, XP, 2000, NT) have Windows Messenger Service enabled. To eliminate messenger SPAM, simply disable the Messenger service. It can be turned back on any time. Note: no special software is required to get rid of messenger SPAM.

However, with this service disabled, normal alerts which use this service will no longer appear (e.g. disk running out of free space, audit log full)

 

Windows 2000

  1. Click Start-> Programs-> Administrative Tools->Services
  2. Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
  3. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
  4. Click the STOP button.
  5. Select Disabled or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
  6. Click OK

Windows XP

  1. Click Start->Control Panel
  2. Click Performance and Maintenance
  3. Click Administrative Tools
  4. Double click Services Scroll
  5. down and highlight "Messenger"
  6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
  7. Click the STOP button.
  8. Select Disabled or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
  9. Click OK

Windows NT

  1. Click Start ->Control Panel
  2. Double Click Administrative Tools
  3. Select Services-> Double-click on Messenger
  4. In the Messenger Properties window, select Stop,
  5. Then choose Disable as the Startup Type
  6. Click OK

Windows 98 & ME

Windows Messenger Service cannot be disabled

A box like this may appear unexpectedly on your screen if your computer has Windows Messenger Services enabled.

Messenger Service Box

 

You may wish to check with your distributed IT provider before disabling Windows Messenger service so that you do not inadvertently disable a service that your department uses.

Copied with permission from Auburn University.

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Last Modified 04.16.2001