How to prevent Windows Messenger from starting in Windows XP By Drew Mathers | August 10, 2015 1 1. Notice the Windows Messenger icon at the bottom right. 2 2. Click: Start 3 3. Click: All Programs 4 4. Click: Outlook Express 5 5. Click: Tools 6 6. Click: Windows Messenger 7 7. Click: Options 8 8. Click: Preferences 9 9. Uncheck: [ ] Run Windows Messenger when Windows starts 10 10. Click: [OK] Posted in Supplemental