Windows Live Messenger: Prevent from Starting When Windows Starts

Contributor Icon Contributed by shamanstears Date Icon June 19, 2007  
Tag Icon Tagged: Microsoft Vista

By default, Windows Live Messenger starts when Windows does. If you don’t use it on a frequent basis, you are wasting resources by having it run when you don’t need it.


1. Open Windows Live Messenger and login.

2. Next to your name, at the top, click the downward pointing arrow.

3. Select Options.

4. Select General from the left pane of the Options window.

5. Under Sign In, uncheck the Automatically run Windows Live Messenger when I log on to Windows checkbox.

6. Click OK.

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  • Geri
    Thank you Thank you Thank you......Everytime that darned messanger popped up I swore. No more swearing now!
  • Name
    They have some good instructions but when you don't have some of the steps they say, then it seems impossible. Hope someone has a solution, just buggs me.
  • Name
    Trying to turn Windows Live Messenger OFF. Problem that I am having is that in the left pane there is no "General". Not having that, how do I accomplish turning it off.
  • chris
    thank you. .
  • FreeWill
    Many thanks. Simple and sorted.
  • Jason
    There is a way to disable auto-start without having to sign in or create an account.

    1. Click on the drop-down arrow next to that stupid question mark image.
    2. Click "Show the menu bar"
    3. Go to Tools -> Options -> Sign In -> uncheck "Automatically run ......."

    Pretty sneaky of them to try to hide this. Took me a while to find...
  • You are so many kinds of awesome for finding that little hidden sucker.

    By the by, if anyone's trying to /uninstall/ Live Messenger, and has installed the "Windows Live Essentials" thingy (which I had, having had it come down the pipe via a windows update), you have to Chane/Remove Windows Live Essentials. Windows Live Messenger will /not/ show up in the list.
  • okiepilgrim
    You are the man Jason! I looked through everything but didn't notice that option. Thanks for posting.
  • blahberstein
    Justme: You can turn off Windows Live from interacting with other Windows Live sites. It's the bottom check box in the Security tab.
  • larrydh
    It's odd though that you have to SIGN IN before turning off the Auto Startup. What if you don't have a Live ID? There should be a way to prevent a program from auto starting at a program level, not at a service level.
  • Justme
    Now how to stop it from opening when you visit Hotmail. Even if you delete it from your computer it reloads if you visit any Windows website.
  • Patrick
    You are the man. I could not for the life of me figure out how to stop IM from starting at my boot up. It's so simple, but I had to find your post to get it. Thanks.
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