Windows Messenger is the Microsoft instant messaging program built into Windows XP. There is also a Windows Messenger service built into Windows XP that helps produce pop up ads via IP addresses. The two programs are completely separate and do different things even though Microsoft has essentially named them the same.

Windows Messenger (the chat program) is equally annoying if you dont use instant messaging. Microsoft has tightly integrated this program into many of its other programs including Outlook Express, Outlook and Remote Assistance. However there are ways to either disable it from starting, remove it, or for the most part completely get rid of it.

Solution #1

1. Click Start | Run

2. Copy and paste the line below into the Run field, as shown in the screenshot below and then click OK.
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

Solution #2
1. Locate the file named SYSOC.INF located at C:\Windows\Inf. (NOTE: This folder and the files in it are hidden by default. To unhide this folder and its contents, click Tools | Folder Options from Windows Explorer, and then choose the View tab. From here, select “Show hidden files and folders”, as shown in the screenshot below, and then click OK.)

2. Open SYSOC.INF with Notepad and locate the line that reads as follows:
msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7

3. Remove the word “hide” from the line, then close the file, saving the changes.

4. You can now use the Add/Remove Programs icon in the Control Panel to access the Add/Remove Windows Component option to remove Windows Messenger.