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Windows XP Tips and Tricks

Why do I need Windows Messenger and can I get rid of it?

Windows Messenger is a messenger application similar to Yahoo Messenger and others.  By default, it comes with Windows XP Pro and will automatically run at startup.  If you are using another messenger application, or don't use messaging at all, you can disable it in XP Pro by following these steps:

1. Click start then run
2. In the box, type Gpedit.msc then click OK
3. Go to Computer Configuration | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Windows Messenger.
4. Double-click the Do Not Allow Windows Messenger To Be Run setting.
5. In the dialog box that results, select the Enabled option, and click OK
6. Close the Group Policy Editor

What if I have forgotten my Windows user password?

Assuming you still know the administrator password, you can easily reset your windows user password using the command line.  Here is a link that shows you how.  You must be logged in as the administrator to do this.

If you don't know the administrator password and can't log in at all, you need some advanced help.  Your choices are very limited:

• Download and use a boot disk to reset the administrative password (advanced users only)
• Restore your computer to its original XP configuration (will wipe out everything you've done ... last resort only)
• If you're not up to the first option, get help before resorting to the second, unless you don't mind losing everything on your system by resetting it to its factory configuration.

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