Can't remove Yahoo! Messenger from startup!

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 96
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1
       #1

    Can't remove Yahoo! Messenger from startup!


    Hi all
    About 2 months ago I installed the latest update for Yahoo! Messenger. From that day, YM keeps popping out at boot, no matter what I do.
    I tried disabling it from YM preference menu but I noticed it still appears in MS Config so I also removed it from there.
    I tried using 3rd party apps to remove it from startup, I manually deleted a shortcut from my user's startup folder and I tried searching the registry for some sort of key to remove, all without luck.
    I also uninstalled YM, I deleted all related folders and registry keys, I performed a registry clean up and reinstalled it but it still pops out at start up.
    Obviouslly, I performed a full system scan with my av (Norton 360), SpyBot S&D and Eset/Bitdefender Online Scanner and none of these found anything.
    Any ideas?
    It's not YM the fact that YM start on boot bothers me but the fact that it usually starts before other essential drivers and services and it hangs, slowing down everything. And my system already takes a lot of time to boot due to high amount of drivers and services it has on startup and I cannot remove (because I need them on startup).
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #2

    I also uninstalled YM, I deleted all related folders and registry keys. . .
    Just for confirmation, did you delete it through Control Panel > Programs and Features? Sometimes Yahoo will have an expandable tree in P&F. You'll have to uncheck YM. This might be in addition to the usual steps here:


    1. Click Start > Yahoo! Messenger > Yahoo! Messenger
    2. Click Messenger menu > Preferences. Preferences dialog box opens.
    3. Click General tab. Uncheck the check box of "Automatically start Yahoo! Messenger."
    4. Restart computer.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 96
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I removed it from Control Panel/ Programs & Feature.
    And I unchecked that right after installation. And even if it loads on boot, that option appears as unchecked.
    However, if I check MS Config, after every restart it's still there, even if I remove it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #4

    I know that a lot of Yahoo's add-ons can be difficult to remove. Seems like once they get on a machine they never want to leave. Just a couple more suggestions for whatever it's worth. You might want run a few free anti-malware scans just in case something is preventing a clean removal of Messenger. In addition to your own anti-virus suite, these free tools are recommended quite often on this Forum.

    Malwarebytes

    ESET Online Scanner

    Superantispyware

    Windows Defender Offline

    TDSSKiller

    If still no joy you could try Revo Uninstaller. The Pro version has a free 30 day trial and utilizes a forced uninstall option. Sometimes it can remove stubborn programs that defy regular uninstallation methods.

    Revo Uninstaller Pro - Uninstall Software, Remove Programs easily, Forced Uninstall
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 96
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Sorry for my late reply and thanks for your help.
    I used Revo Uninstaller to get rid of it and it worked.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #6

    That's really great news. Thanks for posting back!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 96
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I've spoken too soon :|
    After a few days without problems it started all over again after a power failure.
    That was about 1 hour ago.
    I'll give it another try.
    Anyway, thank you all for your help.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #8

    Wow, pesky little app isn't it? Couple of other things to try.

    1. Go to C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86). If there are any folders related to Messenger you can try uninstalling them.

    2. If that doesn't work you could try installing Messenger again. It's possible the built-in uninstaller became corrupted and isn't working any more. A fresh install should repair the uninstaller.

    3. If you're familiar with and comfortable editing the registry you could look for instances of Yahoo Messenger and delete them. CAUTION: Editing the registry improperly could leave you with a non-working computer.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 96
    Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks for the suggestions. Done this too.
    It seamed to work for a short period of time but now it started all over again. :|
    I don't get it. I didn't install any toolbar or other ads Yahoo! comes with, I uninstalled it normally and I used forced uninstall, cleaned up the registry, searched for every single Yahoo related key, scan my system with 4 AV software and it still starts on boot.
    This is one of the most frustrating problems I've had in years.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #10

    In reading a lot of different posts about permanently disabling or removing Yahoo Messenger, the one common thought is to delete the primary Yahoo account ( yourname<at>yahoo<dot>com ). Doing so also deletes all other Yahoo services. I'm guessing you don't want to delete your primary account. But is it possible that there's an alias or "other user" Yahoo account that's opening Messenger?

    Another possibility is to use a 3rd party app to delay startups. For example, with WinPatrol, you can schedule any startup program by right clicking on it, move it to delayed start. Then in Delayed Start tab, got to the Delay Start option. WinPatrol has a free and paid version. Or another company called r2 Studios has an app.

    BillP Studios - WinPatrol Classic 2012

    r2 Studios - Startup Delayer
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:17.
Find Us