Windows Security Tutorials - Herong's Tutorial Examples - v3.01, by Dr. Herong Yang
Removing Windows Messenger Extra Button
This section provides a tutorial example on how to remove Windows Messenger extra button.
Symptom: When Windows Messenger is installed on your computer, an extra button shows up on your IE browser as shown in this picture:
Windows Messenger button offers you a quick way to log into Windows Messenger chat service. However, it does take away space from your standard buttons area. I want to remove it.
IE Add-ons List: Click IE Tools > Manage Add-ons, I saw:
Windows Messenger Browser Extension
HijackThis Report: In the HijackThis report, there are actually two entries related to Windows Messenger: an extra button and an extra menu item:
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683}
- C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d...
- C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
Quick Research: Windows Messenger is a proprietary instant messaging client included in Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. Windows Messenger has been superseded by Office Communicator in corporate environments and Windows Live Messenger for .NET Messenger Service connections. I want to remove it, because I like the Web version of Yahoo! Messenger.
What I Did:
1. Run IE and click Tools > Manage Add-on, and disabled "Windows Messenger".
2. Run HijackThis, select those two Windows Messenger entries, and click "Fix checked"
Result: Windows Messenger extra button is gone!
Table of Contents
About This Windows Security Book
Windows 8: System Security Review
Windows 8: System Security Protection
Windows 8 Defender for Real-Time Protection
Windows 7: System Security Review
Windows 7: System Security Protection
Windows 7 Forefront Client Security
Norton Power Eraser - Anti-Virus Scan Tool
McAfee Virus and Malware Protection Tools
Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal
Keeping IE (Internet Explorer) Secure
Malware (Adware, Spyware, Trojan, Worm, and Virus)
HijackThis - Browser Hijacker Diagnosis Tool
►IE Add-on Program Listing and Removal
Removing Yahoo! IE Services Button - yiesrvc.dll
Removing MySearch Toolbar - S4BAR.DLL
Removing NetZero Toolbar - Toolbar.dll
►Removing Windows Messenger Extra Button
"Conduit Search" - Malware Detection and Removal
"Tube Dimmer", "Scorpion Saver" or "Adpeak" Malware
Malware Manual Removal Experience
Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal
Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal
VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal
PWS (Password Stealer) Trojan Infection Removal