Disable Network Messenger Service (Windows NT/2000/XP)

Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Disable Network Messenger Service (Windows NT/2000/XP)
Category: Home > Security > Privacy

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
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The Messenger service is normally used to transmit net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. Recently it has been employed by marketers for sending unsolicited advertising popups (SPAM) over the Internet. This tweak allows you to disable this service.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Change the value of "Start" to "4" to disable the Messenger service.

Restart Windows for the change to take effect.


(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
Start	REG_DWORD	0x00000004 (4)


	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Messenger

Settings:

System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Messenger]
Name: Start
Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value: (2 = automatic, 3 = enabled, 4 = disabled)

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: December 2, 2002

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