Xp Popups And Messenger

[mystified]

Well, I finally got XP in and working right...thanks for all the help

Anyway, two questions:

1. Is there a way to stop those popups on the bottom toolbar (install .net, take windows XP tour, etc.)?

2. Is there a way to get rid of Messenger? It doesn't show up in Add/Remove, and when I try to exit, it pops up a message saying it's in use by another program and I can't exit. I don't use it, don't want it, and don't want it to keep trying to access the internet. I'd like to uninstall it, but have no clue as to how to do that (it was easy to uninstall in 98SE, but I see no way to get rid of it in XP).

Thanks for any help.....

[CurlingSteve]

(1)

Those popups are also known as balloon tips.

A quick RegEdit will quash them

Disable Balloon Tips

(2)

Right-click My Computer and select Manage.

Under "Services and Applications", highlight (click) the Services branch.

In the right hand pane, scroll down then double click the Messenger service (to open its properties page).

In the drop-down box for "Startup Type" select "Disabled".

Click Apply (or OK).

Reboot.

Edited December 13, 2006 by CurlingSteve

[shanenin]

Sometimes balloon tips can be helpful(but more of an annoyance). As to "take windows XP tour", open it once and then hit exit. It will not pop up again.

[shanenin]

you can permanently remove windows messenger by unistalling this way:

goto add/remove programs-->add/remove windows components

[CurlingSteve]

Shanenin,

If I'm not mistaken, going to Add/Remove - Windows Components only removes the shortcut from the Start Menu.

And don't you need to click a "don't show this again" box in the Tour to disable it?

Edited December 13, 2006 by CurlingSteve

[shanenin]

I think you are correct about just removing it from the start menu(I just tried it). As to the windows tour, I always just click the ballon, then click exit, no check mark needed.

edit added later//

mystified, sorry for the bad information, I am sure the real windows expert CurlingSteve is correct about windows messenger :-)

Edited December 13, 2006 by shanenin

[CurlingSteve]

I was thinking of the Tour nag one might get at boot/login time.

That's where I think you need to find a "box" (but I could be wrong).

[martymas]

to disable all messenger options

first go to add and remove

on the left

windows components open it scrol

to messenger and uncheck

the box

then go to start adminstrative tools

services

disable alerta that is where those popups come from

then scrol to messenger

right click and disable it

the last messenger start run

type

gpedit msc

compt configuration--adminstrative templates

double click-windows components

on the right scrol to messenger [double click]

on the right two options

do not allow messenger to run

and do nor automatically start messenger initailly

right click either

properties

check the boxes ENABLE in both options

click apply ok

restart your compt

these options will stop all messengers

dont forget alerta for those popups

marty

[mystified]

Hey, that was kind of a fun read (the exchange above)

Anyway, I really do appreciate the help....sounds like that'll take care of it. However, being brand new to XP, I'm sure I'll come up with more questions....hope that's OK

Best.....Larry

OOPS....hadn't seen yours yet, Marty.....thanks to you, too

Edited December 13, 2006 by mystified

[CurlingSteve]

Hi Marty,

I don't think you need to disable the Alerter service (but I don't think it needs to be running either).

Disabling Messenger is enough.

I have Alerter set to Automatic, with Messenger disabled, and get no "balloons".

[martymas]

the reason we all disabled alerta

microsoft used it to alert customers

on products

but some smarty found it to be a hole

and set those popups

to shove ads and even porno

sites which resulted many getting spyware

and virus

when i installed xp alerta and

messenger was disabled by default

microsoft had an option messenger begone

new users wore the brunt of those ads and spyware

we learned that at techtv

i coppied them on a cd from techtv

and ive used that method for years

but every one to thier own

marty

[shanenin]

mystified,

I guess I am a little unsure on something. When you said "messenger", are you referring to the grey popup in the middle of your screen, or "windows messenger"(IM client) that is sitting in the system tray?

Edited December 13, 2006 by shanenin

[mystified]

I'm referring to the instant message one in the system tray. It's not really a problem, except when I least expect it, ZoneAlarm pops up a window saying it's trying to access the internet. The last time, I told it to remember the answer, and told it "no." Hopefully, that fixed it. It's still in the bottom tray, but I'm not signed in, so it doesn't seem to be doing any more.

[shanenin]

If you open windows messenger, then goto options, their is a check mark to start messenger when windows starts, uncheck it.

[TheTerrorist_75]

Alerter is used for administration alerts within a networked setup. It isn't related to spam popups.

Messenger Service should be disabled. This is where the spam popups come from.

Disabling Messenger Service in Windows XP

To me Windows Messenger is also worthless and not needed.

Simple way to Disable/Remove Windows Messenger.