How can I safely disable msnmsgr.exe?

I notice while watching Process Explorer that msnmsgr.exe is consuming a huge amount of CPU time. I use msn/verizon as my browser but never use the messenger service at all, and would just as soon it doesn't load at startup because it just wastes time. I don't know what the messenger service is doing at all, including monitoring my internet activity and so on.

Is there a way I can safely disable this one process, so that if necessary I can reverse it; I need the msn browser function after all. I don't think I can block it through XP's Internet Options - it's not a site or an ActiveX or cookie. I did not see anything in Spybot that looked promising as a tool either.

Thanks for your help.

 

I just went to safemode a few months ago and deleted it completely.

 

Hi;

Three best ways IMHO:

1/ xpAntispy, "disable messenger completely"
2/ SafeXP
3/LitePC, allows one to safely uninstall and remove any Windows component.

 

That worked fine for me Ron .... MessengerNotGoingAnywhere.

GF

 

Yes, easiest method is to rename the folder. I personally add "OLD" to the end of the name when I rename the folder.

 

I just simply SHOOT THE MESSENGER. It's easy this way.
http://grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm

muf

 

Thanks to all for their replies.

I thought renaming the folder would be the easiest, safest course for me to take. Renaming the folder 'Messenger' did not work. Next I tried renaming the 'MSN Messenger' folder, but the system would not allow it, either because it was write protected somehow, or because it was currently running.

I am thinking that since MSN Messenger loads when I boot, the way around this might be to get into Safe Mode, which, if I understand it, effectively disconnects my computer from the internet. Maybe then MSN Messenger will not be running, and I can try to rename it if it is not write protected. If it is, well, time for another of the suggested methods.

 

Hi;
If you want to disable certain apps from loading at startup, a good way is to use RegCleaner, which provides an exhaustive list of those services and apps, and allows one to uncheck items from startup list

 

Msnmsgr.exe is msn messenger not windows messenger. C:\Program Files\Messenger is for windows messenger and C:\Program Files\Msn Messenger is for msn messenger. You have to have windows messenger for remote assistance btw. Best way I have fount to disable windows messenger is using the group policy editor way.

 

I killed it with a very big stick, but now my system wont work!!!

 

What do you mean your system will not work? How did you kill it?