Simple Computer Tune-up: Speed Up Your PC- P25: As more and more software becomes available and computers increase in complexity, problems with performance are cer- tain to arise. If your PC is misbehaving, don’t let it ruin your book explains how to make the best out of your PC by using PC Pitstop Optimize, which cures many PC “sicknesses” with- out the need for upgrading or replacing your existing PC. | 102 Part III Bonus Material it successfully stops Messenger from launching. To use this fix follow these steps 1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop. If this icon is not available click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows and click My Computer. If you can t find the My Computer icon anywhere do the following a. Right-click in the empty space on your desktop. b. Select Properties. c. A window will open. Click the Desktop tab. d. Near the bottom of the window click the Customize Desktop button. e. Another window opens. On the General tab beneath the words Desktop Icons place a checkmark in the My Computer box. f. Click the OK button. g. You will be returned to the previous screen. Click the Apply button. h. Click the OK button. i. The My Computer icon appears on your desktop. Double-click it. 2. A window opens. Double-click the icon for your C drive unless you installed Windows in a different location in which case you would double-click that drive letter . 3. Double-click the Program Files folder. 4. Locate the Messenger folder and right-click it. 5. Select Rename. 6. Give the folder a name that is easily recognizable such as MessengerDisabled. 7. If you change your mind and want to use Windows Messenger again simply rename this folder Messenger. Force Windows to Use a Different Instant Messenger Instead of hiding or removing Windows Messenger you can change the settings in Windows so that it recognizes another program as Chapter 10 Customizing Windows for Your Personal Preferences 103 your default instant messenger. The advantage of this is that it keeps Windows Messenger intact and ready to use whenever you want it. Note This option works only on Windows XP computers that have a minimum of Service Pack 1 installed. To designate a different instant messaging program 1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows. 2. Click the Control Panel. If you don t see this option your Start menu is in classic mode. In that case .
