Getting Rid of Windows Messenger – Permanently (Utility)
Although this has been discussed here before, this appeared today in Woody Leonhard's "Woody's Windows XP" newsletter:
>> Reader JS writes: “Is it possible to get rid of Windows Messenger?
I am asking because this program is driving me crazy. I do not use Messenger and consequently I am not interested in this program connecting to the Internet. I have blocked access for Messenger in both ZoneAlarm and Norton Firewall. I now have lots of Advanced Alarms from ZoneAlarm that Messenger is trying to access the Internet using other programs as "parents". It is normally Generic Host Process for Win32 Services, but I have seen it also try to use one of the Update programs in Norton Firewall as parent! "
You may ask why I want to get rid of Messenger if I can just block it in ZoneAlarm and Norton? Well, Messenger tries to connect up to 400 times every time I open Outlook Express and/or Internet Explorer. It slows down my machine and connections and I am afraid it might find a way to connect despite being blocked. While writing this email to you off-line Messenger has tried to connect 163 times using Generic Host Process!”
The situation is bad, and it’s going to get worse. Wait till you see what Outlook 2003 tries to do with Messenger.
Normally I advise people to keep Messenger, just because it can be helpful at times. My books go into detail about setting up a Passport account, tying it to Messenger and a free Hotmail account, and keeping the whole kit ‘n kaboodle reasonably private, mostly by feeding the Microsoft Maw bogus names, addresses and the like.
If you want to get rid of Messenger entirely, though, I certainly sympathize. The easiest, fastest way I’ve found is to run a little program from Windows ace Doug Knox - here:
dougknox.com
Download it, run it, and Messenger will never darken your door – or clog ZoneAlarm – again. <<
BTW: I used this utility to get rid of Messenger many moons ago.
- Eric - |
