Windows Live Messenger (formerly known as Windows Messenger, packaged with the Windows XP Operating System) is automatically installed on a clean installation of Windows XP. For whatever reason (possibly you are on a work computer, and do not want to get sidetracker), instead of uninstalling Windows Live Messenger, you may decide to disable Windows Live Messenger. To do so, follow the steps below.
System Requirements
- Windows XP or Windows Vista
Instructions
- Press the Windows button on your keyboard, or launch the Start Menu using your cursor.
- Select the "Run..." option.
- In the prompted box, enter "services.msc".
- Press the Enter button on your keyboard, or click "OK."
- Search for "windows Live Messenger" ("Windows Messenger" if you are a Windows XP user) located in the list that will have just appeared, and double-click it.
- Select "Disabled" from the "Startup Type" menu.
- Click the "Stop" button.
- Press the Enter button on your keyboard, or click "OK."
- Press Alt+F4 on your keyboard, or close the "Services" window using your cursor.
Alternatively, you could uninstall Windows Live Messenger which would remove it from your computer completely to disallow any temptations that you may have.