How do I uninstall Windows Messenger?

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Summary: The term "Windows Messenger" can actually mean several different programs, each of which is uninstalled differently.

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NOTE: if you're here to uninstall the more recent versions of Windows Live Messenger please see this article: How do I uninstall Windows Live Messenger?

Well, first, let's make sure we're talking about the right thing: Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger, or the Windows Messenger Service? As outlined in a prior article, those three Messengers are all different beasts.

And of course uninstalling them is handled quite differently for each.

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Windows Messenger: Windows Messenger is considered a part of the Windows operating system, so to uninstall it:

• Go to Control Panel
• Click on Add/Remove Programs
• Click on Add/Remove Windows Components
• And at the bottom of the list, uncheck Windows Messenger

Now OK your way back out, and Windows Setup will run and uninstall Windows Messenger.

MSN Messenger: MSN Messenger is a separately installed application. To uninstall it:

• Go to Control Panel
• Click on Add/Remove Programs
• Scroll down to find and then click on MSN Messenger
• Click on Remove

Follow the resulting prompts, and MSN Instant Messenger will be uninstalled.

Windows Messenger Service: The Windows Messenger Service is an unfortunately named component of Windows that cannot be uninstalled. It has nothing to do with Instant Messaging, really, and can almost always be safely turned off. Here's how:

• Right Click on My Computer
• Click on Manage
• Expand the Services & Applications node
• Click on Services
• Scroll down to find, and then double click on Messenger
• In the resulting dialog box, set the Startup Type to Disabled.
• Click on Stop to stop the service immediately.

Now OK your way back out, and the Windows Messenger Service will no longer run.

Related:

• What's the difference between Windows Live Messenger, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger Service? Windows Live Messenger, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger Service are four names for three applications that do two different things, only one of which you really want. Confusing? Yes. But easy to clear up.

• How do I uninstall Windows Live Messenger? The location of the uninstaller has changed for Windows Live Messenger. I'll walk you through the steps to find it and uninstall messenger.

• Why can't I have an audio conversation using MSN Messenger? If you're behind a router and/or the person you want to talk to is behind a router you can have problems with audio in MSN Instant Messenger.

Article C2311 - March 21, 2005

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