Just got Windows XP and have a little annoyance

[BeachBuckeye]

These "messenger" ads in grey boxes keep popping up telling me to go to a site where I can buy something to prevent pop-ups. Does anyone know how to delete the "messenger" boxes? Remember now, you are talking to the guy "Computers for Dummies" was written for.

Guy James

[madfloridian]

1. Here you go.

Go to Control Panel from the Start Menu, choose Add/Remove programs, then on the left choose Windows Components. A screen will open, uncheck Windows Messenger. I always keep it unchecked.

[BeachBuckeye]

2. Thanks!

Found it, did it! It works!

[madfloridian]

3. I hate messenger, never use it.

Would you believe it still was trying to get out to the internet even when disabled? I went in and killed it again, and now it does not try.

[Cha]

4. Thanks! I can use that info, too!

[RushIsRot]

5. I just did the same thing and hope it works.

Thanks for the advice!!

[AnnabelLee]

7. I had no "Windows Messenger"

to uncheck in the Windows Components, but I get those annoying gray pop-ups once in a while, too.:-(

[Kahuna]

12. Thanks! I hope it works!

:D

[FlashHarry]

6. I got the same thing for Microsoft Money.

Every time I went to an e-commerce site, I'd get a MS Money sidebar in my Explorer window. I turned it off, though, and now I'm happy. Those were minor annoyances, however. Compared to Win98, XP is a dream.

[classics]

8. Those popus are Windows Messenger, NOT the same as MSN.

You need to go into the Control Panel -> Administrative Services -> Services.

Find the entry called 'Messenger Service' and press 'STOP'. Then change its startup state to 'Manual'.

[AnnabelLee]

10. Thanks, classics n/t

[MALiberal]

9. Throw Out Your Wintel Box And Buy A Mac!

Throw Out Your Wintel Box And Buy A Mac!. The 'Block pop up ad' function works great.:donut: :puke:

[Ein]

11. Way to get rid w/o deleting it permanently.

Close Messenger

Go to c:\program files\

find the folder called "Messenger", renamed it "dead messenger" or such, reboot.

Done and done, thanks screen savers!