Life In 19x19

Since my computer installed Windows Live, Windows Messenger comes up on startup. This is very annoying but I haven't been able to find a way to turn it off. I'm running Windows 7.

don't know about Windows7 specifically, but for Windows in general, there are at least 3 common places to look:

Start button -> All Programs --> Startup
(this folder is usually made up by combining "C:Documents and Settings*Start MenuProgramsStartup")

Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Services

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun

open the windows messenger program (usually it is minimized alongside the clock)
hit the Alt key to show the top menu bar
click Extra
click options
there should be a menu called something like "signing in". (mine is in Dutch)
there you un-check the box that says something like start messenger when windows starts.
close windows messenger

reboot, and you will see messenger does not autostart anymore.

Thank you both. Interestingly it did not work exactly the way either of you described (it's the new version of Windows Live Messenger). For some reason I thought it would be under the main Windows configuration options, so I did not look ( ) under the options for the individual program.

I really don't like how windows makes their programs really hard to uninstall. I have found that you often just have to keep working around them. Thanks for the instructions for turning Messenger off. I will give it a shot.

I believe windows 7 still carries the msconfig program. I know vista/xp does for sure and i dont see microsoft removing something that has been a part of all their GUI based operating systems thus far...

This will allow you to remove any undesired program from the startup without having to access the program and digging through a ton of submenus and options.

*EDIT* I just confirmed that Windows 7 has this function and is placed exactly the same way as Vista.

In vista/Windows7 the run function is located in the all programs > Accessories folder at the start button menu.

open run and type msconfig

A multi-tabbed window pops up. Select the Startup tab.

uncheck any program you dont want to open at start up.

Apply then hit ok.

Restart your computer and you are good to go.

thx Jordus for your tip about msconfig.

My wife's employer disabled a lot of functions on her laptop ( Window7 ). Even the command prompt. But he left a Java runtime. This enables me to run mu-commander. Mu-commander enables me to run the command-prompt. ( TotalCommander and Free-Commander also refused to run the command-prompt, strangely enough ). And so I was able to run msconfig, today. One step further in hacking my way through, hurray.

Next thing I want to do is to open the configuration-window through the command-prompt because it is missing from me Start button. In the end I want to change the input-level for sound recording for a start.

Any advice will be appreciated.