Newer versions of Windows have a service called Windows Messaging that can be exploited by Spammers to send pop-up ads to your desktop. Usually, these pop-up ads look like a plain gray window displaying solicitations with an OK button at the bottom. To block these ads, follow the instructions below based on the operating system of your computer.
Windows NT
- Click Start ->Control Panel
- Double Click Administrative Tools
- Select Services-> Double-click on Messenger
- In the Messenger Properties window, select Stop
- Choose "Disable" as the Startup Type
- Click OK
Windows 2000
- Click Start-> Settings-> Control Panel-> Administrative Tools->Services
- Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
- Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
- Click the STOP button.
- Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
- Click OK
Windows XP Home
- Click Start->Control Panel
- Click Performance and Maintenance
- Click Administrative Tools
- Double click Services on left side of window
- Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
- Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
- Click the STOP button.
- Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
- Click OK
Windows XP Professional
- Click Start->Control Panel
- Click Administrative Tools
- Click Services
- Double click Services on left side of window
- Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
- Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
- Click the STOP button.
- Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
- Click OK
Article ID: 160, Created: 12/3/2009 at 9:47 AM, Modified: 12/3/2009 at 9:47 AM