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Blocking Popups from Windows Messenger

Operating systems affected: Windows 2000, Windows XP Home/Professional

Most versions of Windows have a service called "Messenger" running that allows systems administrators to broadcast a message to all computers. This is different than "MSN Messenger" which allows instant messaging from person to person. Windows Messaging is open, which allows anyone on the Internet to send a message and have it appear on the screen. This has begun being abused by advertisers who use the tool to pop up a grey window with an advertisement, similar to these:

Most users can safely disable this service without interrupting anything, thus stopping the pop-up ads.

To disable this service, follow these directions:

1.	From the desktop: Select Start, select Settings, select Control Panel.
2.	On the Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools.
3.	On Administrative Tools, double-click Services.
4.	On the Services list, select Messenger. Right-click on it, and select Properties.
5.	This will bring up the properties of the Messenger service. Click on the drop-down menu for Startup type: and change to Manual. This will prevent Messenger from starting at boot time. Click the Stop button to stop the service.
6.	After the service has stopped, the properties screen should show:
7.	Click Apply, then OK on the service screen. You may now close the previous windows.