Please U75, give me hope with my Hotmail!

[Lazy Llama]

It has nothing to do with so-called "instant messaging" services like AIM (AOL IM), ICQ and similar services available from Yahoo and MSN.

Yes it does.
It's what Microsoft call the MSN client provided with Windows XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/windowsmessenger/default.mspx

Microsoft have about 5 names for the same thing, and call 5 different things the same name. Confusingly the Windows Messenger Service is something entirely different again and that's what you described.

 

[Rikbikboo]

you can email hotmail customer sevices telling them u cant access ur password. they will reply asking u to tell them when u opened the account and soem names on the contact list. if u can answer the questions they will reset the password for you.


they did for me anyway.

 

[Klaatu]

"Messenger" vs. "Windows Messenger"

Yes it does.
It's what Microsoft call the MSN client provided with Windows XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/windowsmessenger/default.mspx

Microsoft have about 5 names for the same thing, and call 5 different things the same name. Confusingly the Windows Messenger Service is something entirely different again and that's what you described.

I stand corrected Lazy Llama! Thanks. "Windows Messenger" does not show up in the list of "services" running when you run "services.msc" The one
that does show up is simply called "Messenger," and that really should be disabled!

 

[jæd]

Yes, why?

I've had to keep the same email address for many years, some people have to, others prefer to for other reasons, or both maybe. Admittedly perhaps I made the mistake of paying for it in the first place but (I think) its unavoidable now, any tips/hints on not being a dickhead let me know! Like, can I keep my email addy and not have to pay for it?

Oh... You're on Hotmail Plus, or some such thing...? Well... Up to you if you want to continue with it, I just think that if you're a professional, using a @hotmail address is bit, well, naff... looks like you've just set yourself up ten mins ago...

And as I mentioned previously, if you're going to *depend* on an email address then you're going to have to get a SLA and that means £££...

To change an email address I would email everyone the new one while setting up forwarding for the old one -> to new one. And then only reply with the new one...

 

[Boris Sprinkler]

IIRC, this is one really nasty security hole. It was originally put into Windows so folks in a workgroup could send messages to each other ("Hey, where we going for lunch?" e.g.), but it turns out to be a big time backdoor for folks (hackers) to get into your system when you're on the 'Net. Unfortunately
it's enabled by default at boot-time (Gee thanks, Microsoft!). It has nothing to do with so-called "instant messaging" services like AIM (AOL IM), ICQ and similar services available from Yahoo and MSN. I recommend you disable it. Hit your "Start" button, click on "Run," and then type "services.msc" (without the quotes, of course).
This will give you a huge list of all the "services" that Windows is running, and enable you to select whether you want "auto-start," "run on demand," or "disabled" for each one of them. Another wonderful little gem you'll find in there (and definitely want disabled) is "Remote Registry Access" which only allows folks (such as hackers) to remotely get at your registry and (perhaps) totally f**k your computer.

For anyone who's interested, you can PM me and I'll send you a list of 30-odd of these buggers that you can safely disable to make your computer more secure, free up processor time/memory, etc. I hand it out to my students.

this has fuck all to do with the original post though does it.
and some of these services may be required in an office environment. If they are left running on a work computer I would leave it be. The IT dept may have over looked it but then the onus is on them when it fucking breaks.
Decent Perimeter security will not allow teh evil hax0rs to get at your computer to break the registry.
I must agree with you though, why was the messenger service included as a start up service. I have only ever seen it used for bullying.

 

[Structaural]

IIRC, this is one really nasty security hole. It was originally put into Windows so folks in a workgroup could send messages to each other ("Hey, where we going for lunch?" e.g.), but it turns out to be a big time backdoor for folks (hackers) to get into your system when you're on the 'Net. Unfortunately
it's enabled by default at boot-time (Gee thanks, Microsoft!). It has nothing to do with so-called "instant messaging" services like AIM (AOL IM), ICQ and similar services available from Yahoo and MSN. I recommend you disable it. Hit your "Start" button, click on "Run," and then type "services.msc" (without the quotes, of course).
This will give you a huge list of all the "services" that Windows is running, and enable you to select whether you want "auto-start," "run on demand," or "disabled" for each one of them. Another wonderful little gem you'll find in there (and definitely want disabled) is "Remote Registry Access" which only allows folks (such as hackers) to remotely get at your registry and (perhaps) totally f**k your computer.

For anyone who's interested, you can PM me and I'll send you a list of 30-odd of these buggers that you can safely disable to make your computer more secure, free up processor time/memory, etc. I hand it out to my students.

Thanks for this - I'm always trying to get rid of messenger to no avail.

 

[boskysquelch]

Thanks for this - I'm always trying to get rid of messenger to no avail.

you do realsie that this is NOT the facility to Chat thang? as in the current version I use Windows Live Messenger....but a hole that malware uses.

 

[Rosco]

Oh... You're on Hotmail Plus, or some such thing...? Well... Up to you if you want to continue with it, I just think that if you're a professional, using a @hotmail address is bit, well, naff... looks like you've just set yourself up ten mins ago...

And as I mentioned previously, if you're going to *depend* on an email address then you're going to have to get a SLA and that means £££...

To change an email address I would email everyone the new one while setting up forwarding for the old one -> to new one. And then only reply with the new one...

Fair enough thanks for the advice, I must admit not all my work depends on my hotmail address, just some. Anyway managed to get msn to reset my password and its all systems go, for now!

Perhaps I'll go the free route asap.

 

[Structaural]

you do realsie that this is NOT the facility to Chat thang? as in the current version I use Windows Live Messenger....but a hole that malware uses.

ah yes, I see. Messenger was disabled anyway - I've run a few tweak apps in the past.

How do I get rid of messenger then?, it always manages to run - I even disabled it using WinTasks which will force it to quit but it open, quits about 10 times an hour.