Windows 7, and Disabling Windows Live Messenger Automatic Startup

I just installed Windows 7 Professional on my desktop and Windows 7 Home Premium on my laptop.  Both computer are now running faster than they were under Vista and XP, respectively.  I don’t know exactly what Microsoft did differently this time, but they did it right.  Vista and XP didn’t run this quickly even after clean installs.

In any case, I installed Microsoft Security Essentials as antivirus software on both, partly to test it out, and I’ll move my Avast license over if I can once I’ve migrated over from Vista.  No complaints yet.

I also installed Windows Live Essentials, which is a suite of programs, including Windows Mail (formerly Outlook Express), Movie Maker, Photo Gallery, and a few others.  One of the “others” is Windows Live Messenger, which just like MSN Messenger before it in XP, starts up automatically when you boot up your computer, and it’s annoying as hell, especially considering I don’t plan on using it.  So, to disable it, follow these steps:

  • In the search box at the bottom of the Start menu, type “msconfig” to bring up the System Configuration utility.
  • Click the “Startup” tab.
  • Find the “Windows Live Messenger” entry, and uncheck the box to disable.  I sorted the list by Startup Item to make this easy.
  • Click OK, and you’re done!
2009
10/24
POSTED BY
dan
CATEGORY
Tech
TAGS


16 comments
    • Dave
    • November 3rd, 2009 5:29pm

    This is an ok temproary fix. MSCONFIG is designed to be used to troubleshoot these problems. To effecently disable this one should deled the entry in the resistry with an app like RegEdit. Of course one should always make the proper back ups and all normal cautions when in the resistry as this is the behind the scenes control center of one’s OS.

    • Dcon
    • November 30th, 2009 3:14pm

    Just open up live messenger, go to extra/options/logon and deselect all options there.
    Thats the easiest, fastest and neatest way to fix this problem. Too bad it still starts when
    I start outlook, ended up here looking for an answer.

    • patrick
    • January 25th, 2010 4:58am

    Thank you this worked when nothing else would.

    • SAP
    • January 25th, 2010 12:55pm

    Thanks all. Have tried all of these places and either can’t find a ‘start up’ box to uncheck (atleast nothing that obviously looks like its Messenger) or have already tried the bit on-line.

    I’m still being plagued. Have now sent the question direct to MS, will await a response.

    Thanks all the same for the clues.

      • iON
      • February 6th, 2010 9:55pm

      “Windows Live Messenger” is the name of the startup Item. Are you sure?

    • Andre
    • February 11th, 2010 1:40am

    Log into Messenger, click the show menu tab on the top right, click Tools, click Options, go to sign in, under general uncheck the boxes. Hope that helps.

    • Deanna
    • March 2nd, 2010 3:28pm

    I tried turning off the “Windows Live Messenger” in the msconfig startup several times and it just puts itself back on. I’m running Windows 7 home premium on my laptop and it came preinstalled. How do I permenantly uninstall it without effecting the Windows Live Email?

    • Peggy Carater
    • March 30th, 2010 9:17am

    Thank you, thank you!

    • Kitty Conrad
    • March 30th, 2010 10:15am

    I have the same problem. “Windows Live Messenger” is not in msconfig on this machine, yet it appears several times a day. I followed other advice to uncheck the box in the Messenger startup tab … but it was already unchecked!

    Perhaps this thing loads because I check my hotmail?

    • Marina
    • April 27th, 2010 1:31pm

    Thank you! It worked perfectly.

    • Greg
    • May 2nd, 2010 12:23am

    Easy fix,you are my hero! I have been having to close this for 5 months and finally decided to try and get rid of the stupid thing. Thanks for taking the time to show us the fix God bless you.

    • Julie
    • May 6th, 2010 9:45pm

    Well, WHICH fix was it that worked for you all? Thanks.

    • Julie
    • May 6th, 2010 9:46pm

    Hi,
    Well WHICH fix was it that worked for all of you? I don’t even have a logon for this stupid thing. Thanks!

    • Marj
    • May 9th, 2010 7:37pm

    wonderful – your fix worked.

    using win7/32bit

    thanks!!!!!

    • Heather
    • June 20th, 2010 11:20am

    Hi, I’ve never met you but if I did I would have to tell you how much I love you! That poxy windows live was making me craaaazy and I really struggled to get rid of it. Happy me now! Thanks :-)

    • CarmSu
    • June 25th, 2010 10:31pm

    Disabling the windows messenger from popping up when you login is actually very easy if you never plan to use it. Simply go into programs and features, select Windows Live Essentials. Next select the uninstall/change button. A wizard will start, select the uninstall radio button and then continue. The screen in wizard will display the Windows Live programs that are installed on your machine. Select Live Messenger. The wizard will complete and uninstall Live messenger. This worked for me, hope it can help.

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