Theoretically, you can get rid of it (as well as a few
other things). Windows 2000 power users should already
be familiar with this tweak.
Fire up the Windows Explorer and navigate your way to
the %SYSTEMROOT% \ INF folder. What the heck is that
thingy with the percentage signs? It's a variable. For
most people, %SYSTEMROOT% is C:\Windows. For others,
it may be E:\WinXP. Get it? Okay, on with the hack!
In the INF folder, open sysoc.inf (but not before making
a BACKUP copy first). Before your eyes glaze over, look
for the line containing "msmsgs" in it. Near
the end of that particular line, you'll notice that
the word "hide" is not so hidden. Go ahead
and delete "hide" (so that the flanking commas
are left sitting next to one another). Save the file
and close it. Now, open the Add and Remove Programs
applet in the Control Panel. Click the Add / Remove
Windows Components icon. You should see "Windows
Messenger" in that list. Remove the checkmark from
its box, and you should be set. NOTE: there are other
hidden system components in that sysoc.inf file, too.
Remove "hide" and the subsequent programs
at your own risk.
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