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How do I uninstall Windows Messenger?

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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.

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 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:

Article 3810 | Posted March 21, 2005

Recent Comments
105 Comments

am trying to uninstall both hotmail and windows live because each time either is opened, my screen resolution changes to lowest setting and i cant see things properly and have to manually change the settings. Why does this happena and how do i stop it?

thank you

Posted by: alan pritchard at June 6, 2008 2:06 AM

I have gone to my add or remove programs and my windows live messenger is not listed. Since I did not put this on my computer I am unaware of the circumstances it was downloaded in. I have deleted anything to do with MSN in my add or remove programs. Nothing is listed under windows. I have disabled something labeled messenger under my computer, yet the icon is still there. Please help me this starts up each time I log on. I also do not know how to change my start up menu. But, mostly I just want this messenger gone! Please help me! Thanks a ton! BH

Posted by: Brandi at June 15, 2008 9:54 PM

Actually, the option in Add/Remove Windows Components there in Add or Remove Programs will
just remove the shortcut -- it'll still stay around.

To properly and completely remove Windows Messenger 4.7, you'll need to click the Start
button, then click Run and enter:
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
Then click OK.

Posted by: Larry at June 20, 2008 8:21 AM

I can't get msn off my computer. it not on my add/remove. and it now my homepage.

Posted by: Debra at August 9, 2008 5:43 PM

i have tried to uninstall msn by the steps you have given but its not working what do i do?

Posted by: patsy at August 14, 2008 5:42 AM

i need to get hotmail out of my system (vista), i have removed msn live mesenger from the add and remove programes but hotmail is still there. also when i loged on to hotmail it always came up with an error has ocured, any more tips please.

Hotmail is not something installed on your machine, it's just a website you visit. Don't visit it.

-Leo

Posted by: colin chapman at August 20, 2008 9:01 AM

Unlike the above comments, I am trying to use windows live im, but, the regular windows im seems to keep crippling it and taking over. How do I fix this?

Posted by: Colt Chaney at September 18, 2008 6:39 PM

I'm still having trouble with getting rid of Windows Messenger. I unchecked the box on the control panel and followed all of the steps but it's still there.

Posted by: Elaine at September 21, 2008 1:22 PM

i deleted windows live messenger from [Vista] and when i tried to re-install it says it has already installed but it is not on my system please help :S

Posted by: Anita at October 1, 2008 4:56 PM

It's no good "asking Leo" what to do if program isn't listed in Add/Remove. This is just a very basic thing, they're not really interested in helping if their 'advice' doesn't work. My own advice: don't bother asking here, use Google and find a forum with people who really want to help each other.

Posted by: Carol at October 5, 2008 4:23 AM

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