Is windows Messenger always running?

[Big Mac]

Is Windows Messenger always running? Does it run so Microsoft can
inform you of Windows updates maybe?

I am asking, because I have Windows Messenger (MSN Messenger and Yahoo
Messenger too) set-up to not run when I start my computer. I only
want them to start up if and when I choose to start them.

Furthermore, I do not have the box "run in background" checked either.

Yet, when I was talking to a friend of mine in Yahoo Messenger, I told
him to try MSN messenger again to see if we can connect voice (problem
explained in another post a few posts up from this one).

Anyway, I was busy for a few minutes, and did not engage MSN
Messenger. But he went ahead and started MSN Messenger from his side.
It must have reported me as online, and I got the chat Window in
Windows Messenger (not MSN Messenger) even though he was in MSN
Messenger, and even though I did not start up Windows Messenger. (I
don't think I had previously started it, to be honest).

Also, even if I had started up Windows Messenger (still don't think I
did), I've tried to shut it down completely, but maybe there is no way
to do that??

Any input is appreciated.

[Chuck]

On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 06:10:01 GMT, Big Mac >
wrote:

>Is Windows Messenger always running? Does it run so Microsoft can
>inform you of Windows updates maybe?
>
>I am asking, because I have Windows Messenger (MSN Messenger and Yahoo
>Messenger too) set-up to not run when I start my computer. I only
>want them to start up if and when I choose to start them.
>
>Furthermore, I do not have the box "run in background" checked either.
>
>Yet, when I was talking to a friend of mine in Yahoo Messenger, I told
>him to try MSN messenger again to see if we can connect voice (problem
>explained in another post a few posts up from this one).
>
> Anyway, I was busy for a few minutes, and did not engage MSN
>Messenger. But he went ahead and started MSN Messenger from his side.
>It must have reported me as online, and I got the chat Window in
>Windows Messenger (not MSN Messenger) even though he was in MSN
>Messenger, and even though I did not start up Windows Messenger. (I
>don't think I had previously started it, to be honest).
>
>Also, even if I had started up Windows Messenger (still don't think I
>did), I've tried to shut it down completely, but maybe there is no way
>to do that??
>
>Any input is appreciated.

Mac,

I have noted that too. I use Process Explorer (free) from
<http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml>, a much
more detailed utility than Task Manager, to track what's running on my
system. I note task msmsgs.exe, even when I explicitly set WM to NOT
run when I startup. I have repeatedly terminated that task, and
rebooted my computer. Every time I terminate msmsgs.exe, it restarts
itself 90 - 120 seconds later (yes, I've timed it).

Even when Windows Messenger is not running, msmsgs.exe uses up an
increasing amount of physical and virtual memory. I last rebooted
about 23 hours ago, and PE currently shows msmsgs.exe with 8M physical
and 15M virtual memory. This amount continues to increase until I
terminate the task, then starts up again on its own.

I suspect that the only way to stop this pest from running would be to
un install WM. I really would appreciate hearing from Microsoft on
this one.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings,

Do you have Norton Antivirus installed? Recent versions of Norton Antivirus added a new
"instant messaging scanning" feature, which can conflict with Messenger and cause it to also
keep starting. To stop it, open Norton Antivirus (Right-click on the Norton Antivirus icon in
the System Tray/Notification Area (by the clock), choose 'Open Norton Antivirus'), click
Options, then Instant Messenger then uncheck MSN Instant Messenger and click OK.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"Big Mac" > wrote in message
...
> Is Windows Messenger always running? Does it run so Microsoft can
> inform you of Windows updates maybe?
>
> I am asking, because I have Windows Messenger (MSN Messenger and Yahoo
> Messenger too) set-up to not run when I start my computer. I only
> want them to start up if and when I choose to start them.
>
> Furthermore, I do not have the box "run in background" checked either.
>
> Yet, when I was talking to a friend of mine in Yahoo Messenger, I told
> him to try MSN messenger again to see if we can connect voice (problem
> explained in another post a few posts up from this one).
>
> Anyway, I was busy for a few minutes, and did not engage MSN
> Messenger. But he went ahead and started MSN Messenger from his side.
> It must have reported me as online, and I got the chat Window in
> Windows Messenger (not MSN Messenger) even though he was in MSN
> Messenger, and even though I did not start up Windows Messenger. (I
> don't think I had previously started it, to be honest).
>
> Also, even if I had started up Windows Messenger (still don't think I
> did), I've tried to shut it down completely, but maybe there is no way
> to do that??
>
> Any input is appreciated.