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Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows Vista and 7 => Topic started by: SmittySr on January 07, 2011, 08:55:39 AM

Title: How to disable messenger.exe
Post by: SmittySr on January 07, 2011, 08:55:39 AM

When I start my computer I keep getting a message that reads "messenger.exe is trying to make changes to your computer, do you want to allow it". I do not use windows messenger and want to disable the program but am not finding the service in the enable and disable services list. This is a new computer that has not seen any real use yet. I have done all updates and installed my programs and not much else. I am going to be running MS Outlook so I really do not need any messenger or windows live components.

Windows 7 Home premium 64 bit

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Title: Re: How to disable messenger.exe
Post by: Allan on January 07, 2011, 09:14:34 AM

Download and run Startup Control Panel (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml)) and uncheck any startup items you don't want or need.

Title: Re: How to disable messenger.exe
Post by: SmittySr on January 07, 2011, 10:16:41 AM

I ran the startup control panel and followed the instructios, and this thing is still poppingup. I copied th file path maybe this will help.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\microsoft shared\Web Components\messenge.exe

Title: Re: How to disable messenger.exe
Post by: Allan on January 07, 2011, 10:20:50 AM

Go to Programs & Features
Scroll Down to Windows Live Essentials
Click on Change / Remove
Select Messenger and uninstall

Title: Re: How to disable messenger.exe
Post by: SmittySr on January 07, 2011, 10:27:22 AM

Quote

Go to Programs & Features
Scroll Down to Windows Live Essentials
Click on Change / Remove
Select Messenger and uninstall

Sorry I did not mention it before but I already did that step before I decided to post on the forum. I also did a search of previous post that instructed me to run a program that uninstalled messenger, and I ran that as well.

Title: Re: How to disable messenger.exe
Post by: Allan on January 07, 2011, 10:29:55 AM

Did you uninstall ALL Windows Live Components? Does the uninstall routine seem to complete successfully?

Title: Re: How to disable messenger.exe
Post by: SmittySr on January 07, 2011, 10:33:57 AM

The only window live program that seems to still be installed is Windows Live Mail. The programs did appear to uninstall successfully. When I go to control panel/ Programs and features\ Windows Live Essentials I can double click on Windows Live Essentials and all that appears is Windows Live Mail with a check box beside it.

Also Windows Live Writer

Windows Live Sync

Title: Re: How to disable messenger.exe
Post by: Allan on January 07, 2011, 10:59:15 AM

What happens if you double-click the messenger.exe file in the location you posted above?

Title: Re: How to disable messenger.exe
Post by: SmittySr on January 07, 2011, 11:06:15 AM

I double clicked on the file and the UAC asked me if I wanted the program to make changes to my computer and I replied yes against my better judgement. I am not sure exactly what happened. Whatever took place is not immediately apparent.

Title: Re: How to disable messenger.exe
Post by: Allan on January 07, 2011, 12:46:46 PM

You should not have said yes.

Okay time to scan for malware.

Please follow the instructions in the following link and post your logs in the thread you create (NOT in this thread):
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html