XP Firewall question

[mikebach]

I am running Windows XP Professional. I have the XP firewall turned on and all connections unchecked. But, two
connections for msmsgs (one TCP, one UDP) keep adding themslves to the "checked" list. If I delete them, they are back in about two minutes.

I think this is Windows Messenger, and I can see what seems like millions of msmsgs entries in the registry. But, I can't find a service that is starting it, or anything in the startup lists that is starting it.

So, my question.... Is there a way to turn it off. Or, should I not worry about turning it off.

Thank you

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

You can remove the following registry entry to prevent MSMSGS from starting up in the background. XP has MSN messenger built in. Once removed, reboot and see if the firewall entries pop back in.
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"MSMSGS"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Messenger\\msmsgs.exe\" /background"


Cliff, CCNA/MCSE/MCSA 2000
Network Administrator

 

[bcastner]

XP does not have MSN Messenger built-in, it has Windows Messenger.

That quibble aside, there are several ways to stop messenger:

. Two ways are discussed here: faq779-1380
. There is a Group Policy object to stop its starting
. Check that OE or Outlook do not start it as well

In your particular case the SSDP and uPnP discovery clients are adding the entries. You can use Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Windows Components, Networking, to uncheck the SSDP and uPnP clients, and apply and OK your way out. Reboot to make sure they are gone.

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

MSN Messenger is the same as windows messenger. MSN=Microsoft but I will say "my typo" on that one. We all knew what I meant.

 

[bcastner]

I am sorry, but they are two different products.
I really do not want to make a point against you, but they are two different products.

And the differences are not slight. This is not just a naming issue.

 

[bcastner]

http://messenger.msn.com/

 

[Andyleates]

Interesting article on the differences here...

http://www.mess.be/msnmessengerfaq/...ween_MSN_Messenger_and_Windows_Messenger.html

Andy Leates MCSE CCNA MCP+I

 

[Andyleates]

Oops, sorry bcastner, me butting in and all that!

Andy Leates MCSE CCNA MCP+I

 

[bcastner]

Andy,

No problem. I made a small quibble, that is all. But for some applications (Remote Assistance comes to mind) the difference is important.

Jump in any time. That is the rock-and-roll of the Forum, and is perfectly acceptable.

 

[pechenegs]

Shouldn't the original poster consider using another firewall with ICF as it's only for incoming?

pech

 

[bcastner]

pech,

The underlying issue is that uPnP is opening ports when requested by Messenger.

Note to defend the XP firewall, but it is in this instance cooperating with uPnP and other XP services and doing its job.

I would leave it alone. I am a fan of other firewalls, many free, as a Keyword Search would quickly show. But this particular issue is not the firewall, but the uPnP aspects of the applications runnning.

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

God knows work can be boring "sometimes". The forum makes it go by quicker. They say IT minds are very stubborn in our ways....lol. But what I was saying is that the two programs are from the same designer. Just tweaked differently. I hope we help this person with their firewall....

 

[linney]

A good article about the XP Firewall can be found here.

http://www.gamespyarcade.com/helpers/workshop/xpfirewall/

Ports used by Messenger.

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...p%2Btcp%2Bfirewall%2Bwindows%2Bxp%2Bmessenger

Removing Messenger.

Try some of these.

302089 - How to Prevent Windows Messenger from Running on a Windows XP-Based Computer

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302089&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

327390 - Windows Messenger Starts When You Start Outlook Express After You Remove Access to

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;327390&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_messenger_remove.htm

How To uninstall Windows Messenger completly from your computer
faq779-1380

The other method to uninstall it completely,
Go to Start > Run, then type in this and run it. (one Line)

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

 

[bcastner]

MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger are not from the same designer, nor from the same product group.

Bill Castner
MS-MVP Windows - Networking

 

[SRotblat]

Techy69 said "They say IT minds are very stubborn in our ways....lol"


You aint kidding eh, hehe...