How to prevent Windows Messenger from running on a Windows XP-based computer (302089)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.5
  • Microsoft Windows Messenger 4.6
This article was previously published under Q302089
Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

This article describes how to prevent Windows Messenger from running. By default, Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition install Windows Messenger. The user interface does not let you remove or uninstall Windows Messenger.

When you install Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows adds a new feature that is named "Set Program Access and Defaults" to the Add or Remove Programs tool in Control Panel. You can use this feature to remove Windows Messenger from the Start menu, from the desktop, or from other locations. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

332003 How to change your default programs and to enable or remove access to Microsoft Windows and non-Microsoft programs

MORE INFORMATION


To prevent Windows Messenger from running, use the method appropriate for your version of Windows Messenger and your version of Windows.

Windows Messenger 4.0 or later versions on a Windows XP Professional-based computer


Use the Group Policy (gpedit.msc) snap-in to turn on the Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run option.

Notes
  • To use the Group Policy snap-in, you must be logged on to the computer using an account that has administrator permissions.
  • This method prevents programs that use the Messenger APIs from using Windows Messenger. Microsoft Outlook 2002, Microsoft Outlook Express 6, and the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP are examples of programs that use these APIs and that depend on Windows Messenger.

To turn on the Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run option, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
  2. In Group Policy, expand Local Computer Policy, expand Computer Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Components, and then expand Windows Messenger.
  3. Double-click Do not allow Windows Messenger to be run, and then click Enabled.
  4. Click OK.
  5. On the File menu, click Exit to quit the Group Policy snap-in.

Windows Messenger 4.0 on a Windows XP Home Edition-based computer

NOTE: This method does not prevent users from manually running Windows Messenger, but it does prevent Windows Messenger from running automatically every time that you start Windows.

Change the preferences in Windows Messenger. To do this, follow these steps.

  1. Start Windows Messenger.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Preferences tab.
  3. Click to clear the Run this program when Windows starts check box, and then click OK.
If you use Outlook Express or Outlook 2002, Windows Messenger may start automatically every time that you run Outlook Express or Outlook. To prevent Windows Messenger from starting automatically, follow these steps:

Outlook Express

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the General tab.
  2. Click to clear the Automatically log on to Windows Messenger check box, and then click OK.

Outlook 2002

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Other tab.
  2. Click to clear the Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook check box, and then click OK.

Windows Messenger 4.5 or later versions on a Windows XP Home Edition-based computer or on a Windows XP Professional-based computer


Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Note This method prevents programs that use the Messenger APIs from using Windows Messenger. Outlook 2002, Outlook Express 6, and the Remote Assistance feature in Windows XP are examples of programs that use these APIs and that depend on Windows Messenger.

  1. Start Registry Editor. To do this, click Start, click Run, type regedit.exe, and then click OK.

    If the following registry subkey already exists, go to step 6:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client
  2. Click the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key. Type Messenger for the name of the new registry key, and then press ENTER.
  4. Click the following registry subkey: key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger

  5. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key. Type Client for the name of the new registry key, and then press ENTER.
  6. Click the following registry subkey: key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Messenger\Client

  7. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value. Type PreventRun for the name of the new DWORD value and then press ENTER.
  8. Right-click the PreventRun value that you created in step 7, and then click Modify. In theValue data box, type 1, and then click OK.
  9. Quit Registry Editor.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/11/2004
Keywords:kbenv kbhowto KB302089
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