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Windows Live Messenger

Prevent Messenger from Loading on Windows Startup

SUMMARY: Prevent Windows Live Messenger from always loading when logging onto Windows.

After installing Windows Live Messenger, it will start up every time you log onto Windows. If you are a frequent user this may be ideal; however, if you only occasionally chat you may want to only access Messenger when you're ready to talk. Thus this automatic start-up can be disabled:

1. From a Windows Live Messenger window, click the "Show Menu" button, selecting "Tools" - "Options" (see the below screenshot). Or, if you are at the sign-in screen and no "Show Menu" button appears, press, Alt, T, then O.


Accessing Windows Live Messenger options



2. When the "Options" dialog box appears, click "Sign In" in the left pane.

3. In the right pane, underneath "General", uncheck "Automatically run Windows Live Messenger when I log on to Windows".


Preventing Windows Live Messenger from running every time you log on to Windows



4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

This tip was written for Windows Live Messenger Version 2009 running on a netbook running Windows XP Home. Features, instructions, and screenshots for other versions / operating systems may vary.

Return to the Windows Live Messenger page.

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The MalekTips website was created in 1998 by Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. The page's goal is to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles. Tips are organized to be easy to find, and are presented clearly, in easy-to-understand language. MalekTips also provides information and links to public-domain, open source, freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download. < more >