How do I keep MSN Messenger / Windows Live Messenger from starting up?

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In a similar vein, how can I stop the annoying window that appears every now and again right over the top of the new version of Messenger on its start-up, that offers a whole pile of totally useless and inane "hints" which are of no use to me, nor man or beast as far as I can see. (Pauses for breath!). I see no option for that.

I have all the boxes un-checked. I do not use outlook express and infact have removed outlook express from my machine.

Windows live messenger still starts up.

I have stopped it from working by indicating to McAfee that access to the program is not allowed. Now, it starts up but does not work and a large red X appears over the icon. All of the annoying automatically generated pop-ups are gone.

This might work for Hugo Kurtz --it did for me:
START > RUN > type MSCONFIG > STARTUP > uncheck MSNMSGR > APPLY. Restart computer.

I have Windows 7 and there was no "open" in the box that came up. I used the suggestion Posted by: Bill Kingman at January 19, 2010 5:56 PM above. Thanks Bill and thanks Leo for providing this wonderful site.

I believe you have to do these changes to each identity in OE

I found the best way for users who do not want to "see" Messanger ever, is to simply go to the Control Panel, Add Remove Programs, Remove Windows Components, and just uncheck it. It will be uninstalled.

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