Windows Live Messenger: Prevent from Starting When Windows Starts
Contributed by Rob Rogers 
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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Use Windows Live Messenger (or MSN) to contact Yahoo users and vice versa
Patrick said on May 6, 2009
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.
Justme said on July 13, 2009
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.
Anonymous said on August 5, 2009
Justme: You can turn off Windows Live from interacting with other Windows Live sites. It’s the bottom check box in the Security tab.
Anonymous said on August 8, 2009
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.
Jason said on September 27, 2009
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…
Anonymous said on November 16, 2009
You are the man Jason! I looked through everything but didn’t notice that option. Thanks for posting.
FreeWill said on November 18, 2009
Many thanks. Simple and sorted.
Dino Sarma said on February 11, 2010
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.
chris said on February 15, 2010
thank you. .
Name said on March 1, 2010
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.
Geri said on March 1, 2010
Thank you Thank you Thank you……Everytime that darned messanger popped up I swore. No more swearing now!
Name said on March 1, 2010
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.
joe said on April 8, 2010
thanks a ton! its was really annoying having that thing come up when ever i logged on, slowing my laptop down.
CD said on April 17, 2010
I didn’t have the general tab either. I clicked options and then to the left clicked Sign In. From there you will see General at the top and below that is where you can uncheck the automatic sign in.
Annette said on May 20, 2010
It seems like an easy solution but I’m using a Netbook and the screen where you change the optios is too big to let me get to, let alone see,the OK button. I can’t move any farther to the top so all I can do is exit and it doesn’t save it. I read a suggestion somewhere about disabling it from the Startup folder but it isn’t in there. Any ideas? Thanks.
QB said on June 3, 2010
thank you so much! I have tried for weeks to figure this out, you totally solved the mystery for me! Big E-HUG to you! ^_^
QB said on June 3, 2010
you’ll need to change your screen resolution to allow the entire menu to show up. It’ll screw with all your other programs, so change it back once you’re done. To change the screen resolution, go to the same menu you use to change the desktop image, screen saver and crap. ^_^
Nunyo said on June 10, 2010
Wow! Thank you so much for this – great post
Caliopolis said on June 23, 2010
What if you dont have a messenger ID? and dont want to create one JUSt to rem,ove a program?
Caliopolis said on June 23, 2010
You have just answered a GOLDEN question! thank you so much for your directions.. I am really adamant about not creating a live id JUST to remove a program from starting and i was more than disappointed that Microsoft is becoming so persistent with its programs.
Lucy said on July 4, 2010
help! im trying to get the pre-installed windows (the one that was already on computer) to stop signing me in automatically. i have no general tab, and i have ticked and un-ticked every box trying to figure out what to do. any ideas?
Vikasbatra29 said on July 14, 2010
this information was very useful for me tnx
guest said on July 27, 2010
THANK YOU!!! I never expect much in terms of UI design from MS, but this one even shocked me!
Julie said on August 3, 2010
I can’t log in to windows live messenger because I don’t have a password to type in. I don’t want anything to do with the thing. I don’t want ppl bugging me.
Julie said on August 3, 2010
I love you.
Jesse Stallsmith said on September 14, 2010
thank you
Tomiadebayo said on September 14, 2010
Top man! Thanks for that
Tomi
Brittany said on December 4, 2010
Thank you! It never popped up until recently when I would log in and I don’t know why or what made it start because I have had this computer since Sept. and it didn’t do that for the first month or so. It is extremely annoying! Again, Thank YOU!
Tytosi said on January 27, 2011
what do yu do if yu want it back. i unticked now i cant find it in vista
Khatch1900 said on March 3, 2011
Thanks Jason…Your way worked great.
Yana_bana said on March 13, 2011
what if you dont have a account any longer? and it still pops up?
Mahmodyrom said on April 4, 2011
ok good h m feram to iran . ok خلاصه خیلی حال می کنم توی سایت های خارجی