>>>>No, I have never used Outlook Express. I use Outlook 2003. It is not a big deal; I just want to make sure that this is not some kind of a spyware or trojan thing.
>>>
>>>It might be the same. Try to close Outlook, and see if you can then close MSN Messenger.
>>
>>Yes, when I closed Outlook, I was able to Exit MSN Messenger. So they must be somehow connected.
>>
>>Thank you.
>
>I am not entirely sure how to "disconnect" them - or whether it is at all possible. I believe they share some sort of address book; there might be some option to use, or not use, this feature - whatever it is called!

If you don't want to use Messenger at all, try going to Control Panel>Add or Remove Programs and click on the "Add/Remove Windows Components" - look at the bottom and if Windows Messenger is checked, uncheck it.