How to Remove MSN Messenger From Startup

MSN Messenger is a useful program for many people. For others, it's an annoying program that they would rather remove from startup. Microsoft, however, doesn't make it easy to remove MSN Messenger, as you might expect. Follow these steps to find out how to remove it.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

View Hidden Files on Your Computer

1. Travel to the MSN Web site (see Resources below) so you can log in to your account.

2. Click on the "Tools" menu and then select "Folder Options."

3. Click on the "View" tab and locate the "Hidden Files and Folders" setting area.

4. Check the circle that reads "Show Hidden Files and Folders."

5. Uncheck the box titled "Hide Protected Operating System Files."

6. Click the "OK" button. This will allow you to find the file that you are searching for.

7. Open "My Computer" or "My Documents" on your computer.

Locate the File 'Sysoc' on Your Computer

1. Click "Start." Then click "My Computer" to open it.

2. Use your mouse to click in the address field so you can type.

3. Type "C:\Windows\inf" into the address line and press "Enter" on your keyboard.

4. Locate the "Sysoc" file by scrolling down to find it.

5. Open the file in Notepad or a similar writing program.

6. Locate the line that reads "msmsgs=msgrocm.dll."

7. Remove the word "hide" from this line. Take care not to remove anything else, including the commas.

8. Save the file in Notepad and then close Notepad.

Remove MSN Messenger From Startup

1. Click "Start" and then click on the "Control Panel."

2. Locate the "Add or Remove Programs" icon and double click it with your mouse.

3. Scroll through the list of programs until you locate "MSN Messenger."

4. Click "MSN Messenger" so that it's highlighted.

5. Click the "Remove" button so that the process of removing the program will begin.

Tips & Warnings

• The reason why MSN Messenger is difficult to remove is because the program doesn't show up in the "Add/Remove" part of "My Computer." This is by design. The other problem is that if you simply stop the program from running, it may work--for a while. But if you use some other program that uses MSN Messenger, such as Outlook Express, then MSN Messenger will resume running at startup.

• These instructions are fairly complex and should only be done if you're comfortable performing advanced instructions on your computer. You will need to make hidden files viewable, locate an "INF" file and modify it using a word processing program. Finally, you will then remove the program from startup so that it never comes back.

• Before editing system files on your computer, back up your computer. You can use the back up feature that comes with Windows XP to go back to a saved profile if something goes wrong.