Ads appearing on your Desktop? Disable the Messenger Service

Windows XP installs a number of services that for most people are unneeded. This installment looks at the Windows Messenger Service, explains what it does and shows you how to remove it.

The Messenger Service was originally designed for use by system administrators to notify Windows users about their networks. For most Windows XP users, even in a corporate environment, this feature is no longer necessary. In addition, certain spyware and malware writers have targeted the Windows Messenger service in order to display advertisements on your PC. These advertisements can then be used to install a virus on your system.

It is easy to disable this service.

1. Click the Start menu and then Click Control Panel
2. Click Performance and Maintenance or Administrative Tools
3. Double click the Services Icon

This opens a list of currently running services. Scroll down until you see the Messenger service and double click it.

1. Change the Startup Type to disabled
2. Click Stop
3. Click Ok

You can find general instructions on disabling any type of service in this earlier post.