annoyed by MSN Messenger?

[Addlcove]

Remove MSN Messenger
[XP] I've had a few emails from readers in the past month asking how to remove Microsoft Messenger from the XP operating system. I first thought this was an easy and straightforward process, but after attempting to remove Messenger from my desktop I quickly learned that it was almost impossible to get rid of it.

After hours of research, I discovered the hint to removing Messenger. The key is a file called SYSOC.INF. It keeps Messenger hidden from the Windows 'Add/Remove Components' feature. So the trick is to make Messenger visible to this feature, and then uninstall it. Here's how:

Click the 'Start' button.
Left-click on 'My Computer.'
At the Menu Bar on top, left-click on 'Tools.'
Left-click on 'Folder Options' in the drop-down box.
Left-click on the 'View' tab.
Uncheck the checkbox next to "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)."
Click the 'OK' button.
Exit the 'My Computer' window.
Click on the 'Start' button.
Highlight 'All Programs,' then 'Accessories,' and click on 'Windows Explorer.'
In the left-pane window of Windows Explorer, click on 'My Computer.'
In the right-pane window, click on your drive C under "Hard Disk Drives" listing.
Click on the 'Windows' folder. (A Hidden Files warning screen may pop up, if so; just click on the words "Show the contents of this folder" at the bottom of the warning).
Locate and click on the 'INF' folder.
Locate and double-click on the "sysoc.inf" file. (Do not get confused with the SYSOC.PNF file, click on "sysoc.inf" only).
Notepad opens this file into a window. Locate the following line: msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7
Delete the word "hide" from this line. Be sure to leave the commas before and after the word intact. Now the line should appear as: msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,ocEntry,msmsgs.inf,,7



Click on 'File' in the NotePad window.
Click on 'Save' in the drop-down menu.
Exit NotePad after the file is finished being saved.
Exit Windows Explorer.
Click on your 'Start' button.
Click on 'Control Panel.'
Click on 'Add or Remove Programs.'
Click on 'Add/Remove Windows Components' located on the left-side of the window.
Scroll to the bottom of the "Components:" listing and uncheck the checkbox next to "Windows Messenger."
Click the 'Next' button. A "Windows Components Wizard" will open up and perform it's digital magic to remove Messenger. When you see the 'Finish' button, click on it.
Click on the 'Close' button for the "Add or Remove Programs" window.
Exit the 'Control Panel' window.
Reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.
I have tested this 29-step process on both Windows XP Home and Professional with complete success. If any reader finds a quicker way of removing Messenger from XP, please let me know via email.

 

[pringler]

or go start -> run and paste in

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove