Tip: When you sign in to Messenger, it remembers every email address/.net passport that you signed in under. To remove an item from the list of remembered names: Start/Run/control userpasswords2. Advanced/Manager Passwords.
Tip: Easiest method to disable Messenger: C:\Program Files\Messenger and either rename the Messenger folder to something like "MessengerOLD" or just move it.
You have to edit sysoc.inf (located in /WINDOWS/inf). Under [Components] you should see the following line: msmsgs=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7. Take the word 'hide' out of the line, and it should look like this: msmsgs=ocgen.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,,7. Exit and save.
Go to Add or Remove Programs, and click on Add/Remove Windows Components. There you should now be able to uncheck the MSN Messenger Service, and by clicking Next it will uninstall.
Remove MSN Messenger from Outlook Express and Prevent the Delay
Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express. Value Name: Hide Messenger, Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value), Value Data: (2 = remove messenger). Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called 'Hide Messenger' and set the value to 2.
Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.
Remove Windows Messenger Disable/Remove Windows Messenger including an option for Outlook Express, Hotmail is slow after disabling/removing Messenger
The side effects are not known as of yet: Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Messenger.MsgrObject Right click on the Messenger.MsgrObject key and select rename. Rename it to Messenger.MsgrObjectold
This will prevent Messenger from loading when you access your account via the Hotmail web page, it will also prevent the delay when Messenger has been removed or disabled.
Preventing Microsoft Messenger from Automatically Signing in
Start/Run/control userpasswords2/Advanced tab. Manage Passwords/Delete (Passport) Entries. Open MSN Messenger (click here to sign in) enter passport e-mail address and password and leave the Sign Me In Automatically unchecked.
Tip: Change the MSN Messenger Background Image
This tweak allows you to change the background bitmap image in the MSN Messenger service. Locate the installation directory for MSN Messenger on your system (e.g. "C:\Program Files\Messenger"). This location can also be found in the registry in the "InstallationDirectory" value at [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MessengerService].
Rename the "lvback.gif" file in the installation directory to "lvback.old". Then copy and rename the new background GIF file to the same directory as "lvback.gif". Restart MSN Messenger for the change to take effect.
Tip: Getting rid of ads in MSN messenger
Find its default folder (search for Messenger). Open LINKS.TXT and clear its contents. When finished, save the file and pull up its properties from the Windows Explorer. Place a checkmark in the "Read-only" field.
Remove/Add Items from remembered list in Messenger login
When you sign in to Messenger, it remembers every email address / .net passport that you signed in under. To remove an item from the list of remembered names:
1. In Start menu select Run 2. enter: "control userpasswords2" 3. Go to Advanced tab 4. Select Manage Passwords Button 5. Add or Remove items at will