Instant messaging is very convenient since it allows real-time communication through text and even voice (VoIP). It is provided by different networks free of charge. If you are a Windows XP user, you have surely heard of Windows Messenger.

 

Pass the Message Windows Messenger is a proprietary instant messaging client included and installed by default in the Windows XP operating system. This client is also included in Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003. No matter how you install Windows XP, Messenger is enabled and running by default. This software should not be confused with Windows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger), though is quite similar in terms of basic functionality. In comparison, Windows Messenger is a stripped down and ancient version of the Windows Live Messenger. To use it, you must have a .NET account like a Hotmail email ID. Today, development for this client has already been stopped, though it still remains functional; however, a lot of people do not use this software anymore. They either use a different client or network for instant messaging or do not use instant messaging at all. (In case you're wondering these are the Top ten instant messaging clients)

 

Why you Get Rid of Windows Messenger? Though Windows Messenger can be convenient for many users, it is not that practical to have it on your computer even if you aren't using it. Here are the following reasons why you should remove it from your system.

• It takes up system resources. Even if you don't use it, it still runs on startup and uses system memory.
• It slows down your computer somewhat. Since Windows Messenger automatically starts every time you boot up, it will add a few seconds, or even minutes, to completely boot up the system.
• Windows Messenger is no longer supported by Microsoft, so newer features may not compatible with this IM client. Some security vulnerabilities may also be exploited during use.

If you use MSN for your instant messaging needs, you don't have to stick with this old IM client. There are a lot of alternatives you can use. You can use the official client, the Windows Live Messenger or Office Communicator. If you use several IM clients from different networks, it's better to use multi-protocol IM clients like Pidgin, Trillian, or Miranda. These types of IM clients are not official ones, but they allow you to connect more than one account from different IM protocols. You can use MSN for work, ICQ for your online friends, and AIM for your family. Instead of running all of the official clients at the same time, you can save your computer's system resources and clutter your system tray by using only multi-protocol IM clients.

 

Removing Windows Messenger Completely A lot of people hate seeing additional icons in their system tray since they do not use most of them anyway. Aside from eating up system resources, you can use them for other purposes like surfing the Internet (Tips on how to use the internet) or editing your pictures (Guide on how to get rid of unwanted items in a photo). This software has no other use for you. There are many ways to get rid of Windows Messenger. The first step is to uninstall it from the Add / Remove Programs of Windows XP:

Go to the Control Panel through the Start Menu.

Click Add / Remove Programs.

Click on the Add / Remove Windows components tab.

Scroll down to the end of the list until you find Windows Messenger. You will notice that it has a check mark. Uncheck it.

Click "OK."

After this, Windows messenger will still not be completely removed from your system. If you check the task manager [CTRL+ALT+DEL, click processes tab], you will still find the process “msmsgs.exe” running. To completely remove Windows Messenger from your computer, here is what you should do:

Go to the Start menu and click Run.

Type in copy this code “RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%INFmsmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove” and paste it in the text box then click OK.

If you are still using Windows XP SP1, you will be prompted with an error box. Just click ok. Otherwise, you have completely removed Windows Messenger from your computer.

However, if you still want to use Windows Messenger but you just don't use it often, or you want to enable it again in the future, you can simply disable it from starting up when you boot your computer. The easiest way to do that is to use msconfig.

Click Start, then select run.

Type “msconfig” then click OK.

Go to the startup tab and look for the entry that says “msmsgs.exe” and remove the check mark.

Click "OK."

After that, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Just save your work before you click "restart." You don't have to restart your computer right away. Settings will change effect the next time that you boot up your computer.