PC Training & Consulting Weblog

Disabling Windows Messenger Service

November 09, 2003

The popup windows from Windows Messenger are very different from the normal popup ads you see when browsing the Web. They look more like system error messages; usually just text in a gray box. And they can appear without you browsing anything. mjh

Federal Trade Commission

Pop up spammers are exploiting a feature of the Microsoft Windows operating systems known as Messenger Service. Despite the name, Windows Messenger Service doesn't have anything to do with instant messaging. It is designed to provide users on a local- or wide-area computer network with messages from the network administrator. For example, a company's network administrator might send a message to all its users that the company's network will be shutting down in five minutes. If your home computer is connected only to the Internet, you may not have any practical uses for Windows Messenger Service. If your computer is on a business or home network, however, shutting off Messenger Service might not be the best approach. Your network should be protected by a firewall.

Disabling the messenger service will prevent the possibility of pop up spam. To disable the messenger service:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel (or point to Settings, and then click Control Panel).

Double-click Administrative Tools. Double-click Services. Double-click Messenger.
In the Startup type list, click Disabled. Click Stop, and then click OK.