Summary: The term "Windows Messenger" can actually mean several different programs, each of which is uninstalled differently.
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How do I uninstall Windows Messenger? |
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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.
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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
I have the same problem. I have an older version of messenger on my computer. when I install windows live it won't let install the messenger since I already have it. Tried to uninstall windows live and reinstall it and I get the same message all the time. My computer was defragmented yesterday so it should be working fine.
Posted by: Iris at July 18, 2009 4:03 PMI like to add that my computer was formatted 2 days ago and not defragged, so there should be no problem really with installing or installing programs.
Posted by: Iris at July 19, 2009 8:31 AMgo to add remove programs click on windows live essentials click change remove then you will get an option to unistall part of windows live essentials that includes messenger 2009
Posted by: Test User at July 19, 2009 4:42 PMIf (like me) you can find it in the add/remove programs section but there's no button to remove it showing try the following - it worked for me. Click START, then RUN and in the box copy the following msiexec /x {0AAA9C97-74D4-47CE-B089-0B147EF3553C} and then press return.
Posted by: Tony at July 30, 2009 6:45 AMcan you help me with msn a got 1 new msn i dont like the new 1 im installing it and it tell me you have to delete the new msn but i did delete it wot shall i do?????????????
Posted by: mariyah at August 5, 2009 7:29 AMhi, okay. well everytime i sign on msn messenger, my old picture and old status from friday keeps popping up and im really getting annoyed because i have to keep changing it, people say uninstall msn messenger and i have but it keeps doing this, what shall i do?
Posted by: angelica at August 17, 2009 9:09 AMBrilliant!!!! I tried everything to get rid of windows live messenger and so did 2 techs from norton, but no good, until I came across your site and WOW!! fingers crossed it has gone. Thanks for sharing your knowledge it is much appreciated.
Posted by: Eileen at August 27, 2009 2:01 PMHave followed instructions to go to Add/Remove programmes but have no 'remove windows components' on my list so cannot complete the process. I also read that Mocrosoft recommend 'disabling' rather than 'uninstalling', but how do I do this?
Posted by: audrey french at September 19, 2009 4:32 AMi had messenger 8.1. loved it. now they said i had to update to 9 and it sux big time. i couldnt even figga out how to send when i typed in a message. no bloody button. and i couldnt get my koi pond background. so i deleted the whole bloody mess. and soon ill go to linux and dump the whole windows mess too. they think they run the whole world. im told foxfire messenger is good. ill go there or to yoohoo. anything but windows. gee i love having a place to vent my anger.
Posted by: paul redfern at October 11, 2009 3:14 PMIf you are having difficulty re-installing windows live essentials after having removed it from your computer[xp or vista]it is because it was installed with the windows installer and this programme is telling the windows live installer that the programmes are still on your machine.Download and use the windows installer cleanup tool to remove the offending entry/s which relate to the windows live installation[they should be referenced by the version number of the live installation]
Posted by: HANNIES at October 28, 2009 8:13 AMThis means that the uninstallation of windows live or components is not complete until you have run the windows installer cleanup for the respective programme.