Disable MSN from Loading

[Cobra]

For ages i have been getting pissed off with MSN loading every time outlook is opened or the PC boots, even if it is disabled in the startup. However you can just disable it in the registery with 2 Keys and a Dword.

I have supplied a quick script that will add the 2 values and the DWORD.

Nothing fancy, but every little helps

Or just do it yourself

Primary Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Policies/Microsoft/messenger

Secondry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Policies/Microsoft/messenger/client

DWORD
PreventRun
value = 1

[benthehutt]

Rock on!  How on earth did you find those keys?

[Tazinator]

You could also do it with the local system policy:

Start > Run > gpedit.msc

Local Computer Policy \ Computer Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Windows Components \ Windows Messenger

Theres two settings in there you can set to disable Messenger. One to disable auto startup, the other to disable the ability to run it altogether.

[Tazinator]

This works too, sorry

Disable MSN in Outlook Express:

Code Select Expand

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express]
"Hide Messenger"=dword:00000002

Disable MSN in Outlook XP:

Code Select Expand

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\InstantMessaging]
"ForceDisableIM"=dword:00000001

No code for 2003, its no longer an automatic load. MS got the hint when people complained. This way you can still run MSN Messenger if you want to, but OLE and OL arent tied to it anymore.

[Cobra]

Sound! .. I much prefer the system policy method. Didn't know that there was an option to disable messenger there.

Which is nice....

[Link3]

Windows have also a tool to determine most programs that run on startup. Just run msconfig.exe..