Microsoft KB Archive/138708

= Function of the Windows 32-Bit Message Server =

Article ID: 138708

Article Last Modified on 1/19/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows 95

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This article was previously published under Q138708



SUMMARY
This article describes the purpose of the Windows 32-bit message server (Msgsrv32.exe).



MORE INFORMATION
Msgsrv32.exe is a program that runs invisibly on the Windows desktop and performs several background functions necessary for Windows operation. These functions include:


 * Mediate Plug and Play messages among various parts of the operating system.
 * Coordinate automatic responses to Setup programs. This includes checking whether a Setup program has improperly overwritten Windows files, and optionally restoring the Windows versions of those files.
 * Display the initial logon dialog box if networking is enabled.
 * Play the system startup and shutdown sounds.
 * Load installable Windows drivers at startup and unload them at shutdown.
 * Run the shell program (usually Explorer.exe) and re-run the shell if it fails to respond.

Additional query words: 98

Keywords: kbinfo KB138708

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