How can I close Windows Messenger without the program reminding me that it's still running?

A. The Windows Messenger component typically runs as a background process, but it runs as a foreground process while you're communicating with a contact. After you close the foreground application, Windows Messenger continues to run as a background process (so people can initiate contact with you), an icon remains in the notification area, and an information balloon informs you that the program is still running.

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If you select the "Click here to not show this reminder again" check box, Windows Messenger won't display the information balloon the next time you close the foreground application. You might want to make this setting the default action (or create a custom policy to do so), in which case you need to know how the registry stores the setting. To modify the registry subkey so that Windows Messenger doesn't notify you that the program is still running, perform the following steps:

The change takes effect immediately.