How to disable "MSN".

pieman109

pieman109

pieman109

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As title.I want to disable MSN on the main pc, me daughter is getting out of hand constantly using it, and I'm sure I've copped a coupla nasties from it. She's got the upstairs pc for her use.
I've disabled "messenger" in services and MSN has stopped appearing in the task bar, but it can still be started from the programme list. I don't want to delete it altogether (but I'm so tempted), just to stop access to it. whats the best way, thanks.
 
Messenger in the services list isn't MSN. It is the Windows service for sending messages, like net send.

Disallowing her permission to run it would solve it, this can be done via nanny programs, firewall rules, making her account a limited account, or strict parenting. :p

The way I'd do it would be firewall rules, that way there is no fuss with nanny programs, and she is still free to do things with her account.

If you want to do it by certain firewall rules, you should be competent with your firewall. The process is simply to deny MSN Messenger access to the internet, and then setting a password so you, and only you can change the rules if you want/need to.

Edit: with firewall rules, you can also deny the installer and program from executing as well. These are just a few more ways to stop her using it using firewall rules.
 
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If you have XP Pro:

1.) Start > Run > gpedit.msc

2.) User Configuration > Admin Templates > System

3.) Double click on "Don't run specified applications"

4.) Change the selection to 'Enabled' and click show

5.) Click add and type 'msnmsgr.exe' and click OK

6.) OK/Apply all remaining windows and make sure the policy is enabled by right-clicking User config and going to properties.

Note: This will not work on XP Home and if you want to use MSN you will have to disable the policy :)
 
To put it simple, you're not going to stop her. There are web versions of msn that will allow her to get around the majority of things that you put in place, but you won't get the extra nasties.
 
Yeah, unfortunately for parents who don't want their children to use MSN, there are many, many alternatives out there which can be used instead.

For example, another IM client which could be used to replace MSN is Trillian, there are also others like GAIM.

Denying access to run their executables (Firewall rules) would be sufficient to stop that, since nothing can be run that isn't in the Firewall rules without supplying the password.

There are various versions of MSN on the internet, such as e-messenger, meebo, and tons of others. They come up all the time.

I believe you can disallow access to specific sites in Internet Explorer and Firefox, which is fine until she finds one you haven't blocked.

It is hard work blocking them all since you have to be just as dedicated to find these online messengers.

Every now and again just silently creep up on her and look at what she is looking at on the internet, or check her history at the end of the day. The only downfall of this is if she clears her history or closes the windows if she hears you coming close. :p
 
Phnom_Penh said:
To put it simple, you're not going to stop her. There are web versions of msn that will allow her to get around the majority of things that you put in place, but you won't get the extra nasties.
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Change her password then :p
 
I would personally say that you're far better off keeping a proper eye on her and making sure the work gets done yourself rather than trying to get the technology working for her. Why not just tell her she's not allowed to use it anymore - or between certain times - and make clear that she'll be in trouble if you find her on there. Maybe limit computer access in general - my experience says that most kids will exagerate the extent to which they need to use one for work!
 
PinkPig: I am 15 years old, and a computer with internet access is incredibly important for me to do my coursework, and sometimes homework.

MSN, on the other hand is just a massive distraction. It probably takes at least four-five times longer to get work done with it running.
 
Etaqua said:
PinkPig: I am 15 years old, and a computer with internet access is incredibly important for me to do my coursework, and sometimes homework.

MSN, on the other hand is just a massive distraction. It probably takes at least four-five times longer to get work done with it running.
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I am 15 as well and agree exactly with what you just said :) I know if I have coursework that needs doing I just have to switch messenger off or I if I know in advance I will just put it in the blocked applications list on my home network and then it will be too much bother for me to go and take it out of the policy and then reboot my machine so I just end up getting my work done. Long way round but it works :D
 
It is Windows Messenger. It can be removed with a code:

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

Just copy & paste it in 'Run' box and it will be removed forever! :p

There is one thing you should know, Windows XP can't be accessed remotely without windows messenger.
 
If you are talking about the "Messenger" service being Windows Messenger, you are incorrect...

Windows Messenger is completely different. If you want to check yourself, you can look at the description of the Messenger service in the Services list (Control Panel -> Administrative tools -> Services -> Messenger).
 
He's saying how to remove Windows Messenger, not MSN.

There is no need to remove Windows Messenger, however. There is the option to disable access to it with "Set Program Access and Defaults" on the start menu. Pieman said he didn't want to uninstall/delete it.

Barnettgs could have been saying that the messenger service is Windows messenger, or he could have been saying the icon in the system tray was Windows Messenger; hence why I said "if you are talking about" instead of "you are wrong".
 
Etaqua said:
He's saying how to remove Windows Messenger, not MSN.

Barnettgs could have been saying that the messenger service is Windows messenger, or he could have been saying the icon in the system tray was Windows Messenger; hence why I said "if you are talking about" instead of "you are wrong".
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Windows Messenger can be used as MSN Messenger and cannot be uninstalled without the code I have provided. The reason is that it has to be uninstalled because it will always starts up no matter what. For example, if you open Outlook Express, Windows Messenger will show up in running uninvited!

I found this out couple of years ago and find it annoying especially that it was running side by side with my MSN Messenger.

I didn't say that Windows Messenger is to do with 'Messenger' service. What I was saying that it is Windows Messenger that his daughter uses for MSN chat and I provided the code to remove it.

As 'Messenger' service has nothing to do with Windows Messenger but disabling it is recommended anyway!
 
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Barnettgs: It can have access disabled via the "Set Program Access and Defaults" which is on the Start menu, so it can't be run, even when Outlook Express is running.

I didn't say that Windows Messenger is to do with 'Messenger' service. What I was saying that it is Windows Messenger that his daughter uses for MSN chat and I provided the code to remove it.
Click to expand...

That clears up that bit. :)
 
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