How to disable messenger

[JeffO]

Try disabling the Windows Messenger service.
Go to Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools,
Services. Disable the "Messenger" service.
Are you on a business network domain? Depending on how
your systems group operates, this could cause problems for
a few things. Home users should notice no harm and should
even notice a decline in popups when on the Internet.
Instant Messenger isn't the same as Windows Messenger,
although Instant Messenger seems to use Windows Messenger
channels.
Also, it seems that there are Instant Messenger/Windows
Messenger components that will install with Office
XP/Office 2003. MS has threaded Instant Messenger into
Outlook. Not sure but looks like uninstalling the Instant
Messenger components in Outlook will break your personal
folders, address book, and other things.

>-----Original Message-----
>Is there a way to disable windows messenger. I get a pop
>up requiring windows messenger update before I can do
>anything else, yet it will not update no matter what I
>do. I do not use messenger. How do I get rid of it?
>.
>