How To Uninstall Windows Messenger Forever

Windows Messenger was introduced with the release of Windows XP, and is installed and enabled by default. It has a variety of features, such as instant messaging, presence, file transfer, application sharing and whiteboarding. Later versions added ink support and integration with Live Communication Server.

Theoretically, you can get rid of it (as well as a few other things).

1. Open My Computer.
2. Select Tools -> Folder Options.
3. Go to the View tab and check Show hidden files and folders.
4. Now navigate to C:\WINDOWS\inf.
5. In the INF folder, open sysoc.inf. It is a good idea to make a backup copy of this file.
6. Look for the line containing msmsgs in it. Near the end of that particular line, you'll notice that the word hide is not so hidden.
7. Delete hide, so that the flanking commas are left sitting next to one another.



8. Save the file and close it.
9. Now, open the Add or Remove Programs applet in the Control Panel.
10. Click the Add/Remove Windows Components icon.
11. You should see Windows Messenger in that list. Remove the checkmark from its box, and you should be set.
12. Click Next. This should do it.

NOTE: There are other hidden system components in that sysoc.inf file, too. Remove hide and the subsequent programs at your own risk.