Locate SYSOC.INF in the \Windows\INF folder (hidden file and folder), Open it in Notepad and locate the line:
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7
Remove the word "hide" from the line and save the file. You will now have an entry in add/remove programs.
Now you can go to Add/Remove programs and remove Windows Messenger.
OR (XP Pro Only) leave it installed, but tell Windows to never let it run. If you're running XP Professional, you can use GPEDIT.MSC to prevent Messenger from loading. Otherwise, even disabling it in startup won't cause it to "always" not run.
- Start, Run and enter GPEDIT.MSC
- Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Messenger
- You can now modify whether it starts initially and/or whether it's to run at all.
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7
Remove the word "hide" from the line and save the file. You will now have an entry in add/remove programs.
Now you can go to Add/Remove programs and remove Windows Messenger.
OR (XP Pro Only) leave it installed, but tell Windows to never let it run. If you're running XP Professional, you can use GPEDIT.MSC to prevent Messenger from loading. Otherwise, even disabling it in startup won't cause it to "always" not run.
- Start, Run and enter GPEDIT.MSC
- Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Messenger
- You can now modify whether it starts initially and/or whether it's to run at all.
