How can I "DELETE" MS Messenger

[Bubba]

OK,,,,,, I installed XP a while ago and I think it is GREAT !!! But, ever since that installation, I have this stupid MS Messenger popping up all the time,,, I do not want it, like it, or need it,,, can I just delete the Messenger folder in program files, or is there  secret way to disable it  ?  I have never signed in, but I get all these stupid incoming messages,,,, under options, I unchecked the box that says to start Messenger at start up,,,, but somehow it is still running in the background,,,, ARGHHHHH !

[John]

Bubba, I lost my reference file for this but in the meantime try this go to "C:\Program Files\Messenger" and rename it to "Messenger.Off" or something similar
Restart.

[pat]

You can download Doug Knox's utility to remove it from your system.
http://www.dougknox.com/
Look under XP utilities.....Dissable/remove messenger.

[Bubba]

Thanks guys,,,,,,, I will try one or both of the suggestions,,,,,if I delete it completely, will I ever miss it ?

[pat]

I deleted it and have never missed it, you can always add it back later if you need or want to.

[DSwain]

There's one other way too- if you use MSN messenger, and just want to get rid of those windows, right click my computer, then manage, then services and applications, then services. Under that menu, is something called messenger. You open that, set it to manual, and stop the service. That will stop messages from coming up, but MSN is still very usable. Even though you probably won't use this, somebody else may want to know, and they can have reference.

[lucubration]

How to completely remove windows messenger:
To uninstall it:

1. Click on the Start button and select Run.
2. Type:

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

in the text box and click OK. You will see a progress bar appear shortly as it deletes its files and it will then ask you to reboot. After the reboot the program will be gone.