Windows Messenger and Windows Live Messenger are useful programs for instant messaging. Yet, if you don't use instant messaging, Messenger can quickly get a resource hogging badgerer that can popular upwards at the worst possible time. Fortunately, you can remove or uninstall Messenger in all versions of Windows XP, Vista and 7.

Windows XP

Since Windows Messenger comes equally part of the Windows XP operating organization, information technology'due south impossible to uninstall the program outright in the graphical user interface. It is possible, though, to remove and disable Messenger so that it doesn't interfere with the employ of your reckoner.

The first step to removing Windows Messenger in Windows XP is to brand certain your version of Windows is up to date. With Windows XP Service Pack 1 or later, removing Windows Messenger from the commencement bill of fare is simple.

Click Start, Control Panel, then Add or Remove Programs. Click Add/Remove Windows Components. Clear the check mark beside Windows Messenger, then click Next. Click End, and restart your computer if prompted to do so.

In Windows XP Home Edition, you lot can disable Messenger from within the program interface. First Windows Messenger, then select Tools and Options. Select the Preferences tab and clear the cheque box next to "Run Windows Messenger when Windows starts." If Windows Messenger is already disabled, then this option may non announced in the Preferences tab.

In Windows XP Professional, utilize the Grouping Policy Editor to remove Messenger. Click Get-go, Run, and then blazon gpedit.msc in the field provided. Aggrandize the Local Computer Policy list.

In the listing, discover Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, then Windows Components. Select Windows Messenger, right click the "Practise not permit Windows Messenger to run" selection and choose Properties. Select Enabled and then click OK.

In both Windows XP Home Edition and Professional person, yous tin can disable Messenger in Administrative Tools. Click Start, Command Panel, Performance and Maintenance, then click Administrative Tools. Click Services. And so find Messenger within the list of programs. Right click it and choose Backdrop. Brand sure that the Startup Type is set to Disabled, then click OK.

Windows Vista and 7

To get started removing Windows Live Messenger in Windows Vista and vii, you must first brand certain that Windows Live Essentials is updated. In the Start Search box, type Windows Update. Select Windows Update from the program list.

If there are updates available for installation, select Install Updates. Yous can also click the Review Of import Updates or Important Updates Are Available link to encounter the available updates, and click View Update History to encounter which updates you've already installed. If non, select Check for Updates. Ensure that you install the latest version of Windows Live Essentials on your calculator earlier standing.

In both Windows Vista and 7, click the Get-go push and Control Panel. Under Programs, select Uninstall a Programme. Select Windows Live Essentials and click Uninstall/Change. Select Remove ane or more Windows Live Programs, then select Messenger. Click Uninstall to completely remove Windows Live Messenger from your computer.