Microsoft sure does love its instant messenger -- the company tries to push it down our throats every chance it gets.

When you first start your XP machine, balloons pop up begging you to register for a Passport account. Then the Messenger will magically appear every time you open a Microsoft application. Then Microsoft has the audacity to hide NetMeeting deep inside the operating system in a brazen attempt to force us into using MSN Messenger instead. Just type "conf" into the Run menu, and you will find your old familiar friend.

You'll notice that MSN Messenger does not appear in Add/Remove Programs. Go here for a system hack that will make the messenger appear in Add/Remove Programs. If one day you decide you need it, it is easy to reinstall and free to download.