Stop Messenger Service pop-ups

If you are using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you may see grey pop-up messages appear on your screen. These are spam pop-ups, sent via the Windows Messenger Service software.

To avoid receiving unsolicited pop-ups, change your Windows settings to disable Messenger Service on your PC. AOL 9.0 users can do this very easily by running Computer Check-Up.

Note: Most home users can make this change without affecting any other programs. (In particular, it will not affect your use of MSN Messenger or any other instant messaging software.) If your PC is part of a network, you may wish to check with the network manager or administrator before making any changes.

Disable Windows Messenger Service

AOL 9.0 users

1. Go to Computer Check-Up.
2. Click Download Computer Check-Up.
3. Click I agree to start the check-up and choose to Run or Save the file.
4. Wait for the check-up to complete.
5. When the check-up's finished a 'Here's what we found' page will be displayed, listing any troublesome issues found on your PC.
6. If the list contains You might be seeing Messenger spam pop-ups under the Online Experience section, then click the 'spanner' icon to automatically turn off Messenger Service on your PC.
7. If the list does not mention Messenger Service, or simply says No issues found, then Messenger Service is already disabled on your PC, and you don't need to do anything.

AOL 8.0 users and below on Windows XP

1. On the Start menu, click Control Panel, then click Administrative Tools. (If this option is not visible, click Performance and Maintenance first).
2. Double-click Services.
3. Scroll through the list of services until you see Messenger, and then double-click it.
4. In the Startup Type list, click Disabled.
5. Under Service Status, click Stop, and then click OK.

AOL 8.0 users and below on Windows 2000

1. On the Start menu, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Administrative Tools.
2. Double-click Services.
3. Scroll through the list of services until you see Messenger, and then double-click it.
4. In the Startup Type list, click Disabled.
5. Under Service Status, click Stop, and then click OK.

Reactivate Windows Messenger Service

If you change your mind and later wish to re-enable Messenger Service, simply follow the above steps 1-3, then select Automatic from the Startup Type list, click Apply, then click Start.
You must be logged in as a Windows administrator to enable or disable Messenger Service.