The best way to kill MS Messenger

Check out this little script

By Thomas C Greene in Washington DC • Get more from this author

Posted in Software, 8th April 2002 09:58 GMT

Understand how application security is evolving

Updated

Update

The batch script below now includes an uninstaller.

A number of readers have reported that the Group Policy (gpedit.msc) method of removing MS messenger results in very slow loading of Outlook Express, which apparently insists on exhausting all possible means of loading msmsgs.exe before presenting itself.

On hearing this we applied the GP fix to a test box and confirmed the complaint. The advantage of this approach is that it allows one to retain the program for future use while preventing it from running without permission. The disadvantage is that it buggers OE pretty badly.

A Reg reader who wishes to remain anonymous has dashed off a little script for eliminating the Messenger irritation. We've tested it only on Win-XP Pro, but it worked like a charm. It even eliminated the slow loading of OE after we applied the gpedit fix. It will remove Messenger, not merely disable it.

The author believes it ought to work just as well on other Windows versions, but we haven't confirmed this.

Because the author wishes to remain anonymous, he asks that readers with bug reports, or offering refinements, contact me via e-mail. I'll forward your memo to him, and his reply back to you. ®