Windows XP Pocket Reference

Name

Windows Messenger — \program files\messenger\msmsgs.exe

Synopsis

Start → All Programs → Windows Messenger

Windows Messenger allows users to send each other quick text messages over the Internet by maintaining an open connection to a central directory server. That server links a user's "screen name" with their IP address (which can change every time that user connects to the Internet), necessary for establishing direct communication between two computers. To use Windows Messenger or MSN Explorer, you'll be required to set up a Microsoft .NET Passport account.

TIP

Windows Messenger, by default, is started every time Windows is started, regardless of whether you use it or even have an account. To disable Windows Messenger, open the Registry Editor (described in Chapter 5) and remove the corresponding entry from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.