Microsoft KB Archive/843019

= You cannot start Windows Messenger after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2 =

Article ID: 843019

Article Last Modified on 7/8/2005

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to start Windows Messenger after you install Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Messenger does not start, and you receive the following warning message:

Security Alert

To help protect your computer, Windows Firewall has blocked this program from receiving unsolicited information from the Internet or a network.

Name: Windows Messenger

Publisher: Microsoft Corporation



CAUSE
This problem occurs because by default, Windows Messenger is blocked in Windows XP SP2.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods to add Windows Messenger to the Windows Firewall exception list.

Note A firewall is designed to help protect your computer from attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses that use unsolicited incoming network traffic to attack your computer. Adding Windows Messenger to the Windows Firewall exception list may make your computer available to attacks by malicious users.

Method 1: Unblock Windows Messenger in the warning message window
When you start Windows Messenger, you receive the warning message that is described in the &quot;Symptoms&quot; section. To add Windows Messenger to the Windows Firewall exception list, click Unblock this program, despite the security risk in the warning message window.

Method 2: Unblock Windows Messenger by using Windows Firewall
To manually add Windows Messenger to the Windows Firewall exception list, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, click Run, type Firewall.cpl in the Open box, and then click OK.
 * 2) On the Exceptions tab, click to select the Windows Messenger check box in Programs and Services.
 * 3) Click OK.

Additional query words: winxp winxpsp2 windowsxpsp2 msg wm IM xpsp2

Keywords: kbfirewall kbsecurity kbprb kbconfig kbconnectivity KB843019

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