MSN Removal

[andy-hughes]

My daughter has installed MSN on our Windows XP system, and now wants to delete it.

I have searched for it in 'add/remove' - can't find it.

I have searched for it using the 'search' programme and removed everything that looks like it - and it's still there!

Is it linked to my Outlook Express in some way?

How do I get rid of it once and for all please?

[Clanad]

You need to edit the registry to make it appear in the 'add/remove' function. Microsoft makes it difficult, but not impossible. However, an alternative is the use of this freeware program... take a look and see what you think:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Uninstaller s/Remove-Windows-Messenger-Data.shtml

[Clanad]

If you would rather do your own editing, then, locate SYSOC.INF in the \Windows\INF folder (hidden file and folder). Open it in Notepad and locate the line: msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7
Remove the word 'hide' from the line and save the file. After making the necessary changes, you'll be able to see MSN Messenger in the Add/Remove Windows components list. You can then remove it for good.
Another alternative, without editing the registry is Click on Start-> Run then Copy the following command and paste it


RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

(Source: Asta Host Web Productions http://www.astahost.com )

Good luck!

[andy-hughes]

Being the confirmed Luddite that I am, I have taken a deep breath, and gone with Clanad's suggestion and ... it worked!

Thanks both for your kind responses - the system hasn;t offered me a chance to give you stars, but have three 'virtual' stars each - on me.

A.