Stop MSN messenger from starting up with your computer

Is it just me or does anyone else also find MSN (or now called Windows Live Messenger or WLM) messenger popping up all the time right after you start up your computer annoying? I mean, I didn't even tell that thing to start up right after I start my computer... it's like it has a mind of its own.

Any way, I realize that there might be a few out there who might need some help to stop MSN from starting up automatically every time you log into your PC. Here's how you can do that...

First, sign into MSN messenger. And then Press the "Alt" key on your keyboard to open up the menubar. Alternatively you can also click on the show menu button, as shown below.

Then, simply click on Tools > Options > "Sign-in" (on the left hand side of the window that pops up.).

Once you do that, uncheck the boxes beside:

• "Automatically run Windows Live Messenger when I log on to Windows"
• "Open Windows Live Messenger main window when Windows Live Messenger starts"

Optionally, you can also uncheck:

• "Allow automatic sign in when connected to the Internet"

Once you are done, just click ok!

Now, no more annoying Windows Live Messenger when you're trying to do some work!

Get free MSN messenger Emoticon Smiley Packs

If you tend to use Windows Live Messenger (you might also refer to this by the name MSN messenger, or simply call it MSN), then I'm sure you'd love to add more emoticons to your collection (Psst.. if you don't already have a emoticon collection you can steal emoticons from others when they use custom emoticons). I believe these emoticons used to be paid, but then Microsoft realized that no one was buying them, and finally decided to make them free.

Getting the emoticons itself is pretty straight forward. All you need to do is head over to Free Messenger Emoticons site (notice how the url is .ca - this is because most of the people who use MSN/Live Messenger are Canadian, I think. I'm pretty sure everyone uses AIM in the states). Of course, you need to have the latest version of Windows Live Messenger installed in order to use the emoticons, so if you don't already have it installed then you can download it here. There is also another free way of getting free emoticon packs along with lots of other cool downloads for Windows Live Messengers, which you can find at Kiwee.com. All you need to is go to the emoticon section and download whatever you want!

Once you go to the website, all you need to do is click on the 'Install 30 Messenger Emoticons' button and then download the Emoticons.exe file onto your computer. Once downloaded, simply follow the prompts on the screen to finish installing the smileys.
One word of caution though. As you go through the install process, in the 3rd step, the installer is going to ask you if you want to change your homepage etc. If you don't want to change your homepage, then make sure to uncheck the check boxes.
After you are done installing the smiley pack, you can then use the free smiley pack through the Windows Live Messenger conversation window. Make sure you click on the 'Show all...' link though.
Don't forget, you can also get other smileys from your friends, when your friends use custom emoticons.