Removing Windows Live Messenger.

[Sasheal]

I am using Windows XP Home edition. As i am the only user and Administrator of this system, i dont use Windows Live Messenger and it is eating up huge Resources as i can see in Task Manager. Hence i want to remove it from the system. But i am not able to find it out neither in Add and Remove Programs nor in MSCONFIG.

How i can uninstall Live Messenger from my Windows XP? Many thanks in advance.

[SidharthGore]

As far as i know Live Messenger use to appear in Add/Remove programs applet. If you are using the default Windows Messenger than it will not appear in Add and Rmeove, instead you will find it under Windows Components. It is right there on the left side of Add and Remove programs applet. Just check inside if you can see it. If yes, disable it from there. But you wont be able to remove it as it is built-in Windows component.

[Mr.Walter]

Yeah, thats absolutely correct. There is difference between Live Messenger and Windows Messenger. If you are using Windows Messenger and not LIVE Messenger, you should try going to Add/Remove Programs, then Add/Remove Windows Components (button at left).

[attitude.ashwin]

Hello Sasheal. Here is the Uninstall String:

MsiExec.exe /X{GUID/CLSID NUMBER}

Note that the CLSID number will be different depending on the version you are using. For example, i am using version 8.5.1302.1018 and hence the uninstall string for me is something like this:

MsiExec.exe /X{508CE775-4BA4-4748-82DF-FE28DA9F03B0}

Hope it helps.

[Kristaps]

Just give a try to this.

• Go to Start > Click Search > All Files and folders.
• Search for msmsgs.exe
• You should find this file under C:\Program Files\Messenger folder.
• Simply rename the same to msmsgsORG.exe.

Thats it.

[brypyon]

Tried to change msmsgs.exe and rename it to msmsgsORG.exe.
It does not accept or let me delete it!!

How odd windows..anyone? Thanks!!!

[JAMES_911]

Tried to change msmsgs.exe and rename it to msmsgsORG.exe.
It does not accept or let me delete it!!

How odd windows..anyone? Thanks!!!

Which Operating System are you using? If you are on Vista or Windows 7 then try to right click on the exe's and give full access to change it or rename it. By the way which version of Windows Live Messenger are you using? You can also download a tool called WLMUninstall by searching it from google and then with it you can completely uninstall Windows Live Messenger or MSN Messenger properly.

[brypyon]

Thanks for quick reply! Though it didn't take the change, after reboot, file name seems have changed to the msmsgsORG.exe.
Unless otherwise, it worked for me.

BTW, mine is XP.

Have a wonderful day!

[brypyon]

Yep, it's gone verified. My laptop performance is crucial for my job.

Thanks, and have a Happy New Year!!