Instant Messaging is provided in Outlook 2002 via the Windows Messenger. You can disable Instant Messaging by configuring a system policy.

Although Instant Messaging itself is not generally a security risk, the protocol could possibly be considered to be a compromise to security. In addition, many administrators find that Instant Messaging unnecessarily consumes user time.

Disable Instant Messaging

1. In the System Policy Editor, double-click the Default User icon.
2. Select and expand the Microsoft Outlook 2002 node.
3. In the Microsoft Outlook 2002 node, select and expand the Instant Messaging node.
4. Select the Disable Instant Messaging in Outlook check box.
5. In order for this policy to work, it must be enforced. To enforce the policy, select the Check to enforce setting on; uncheck to enforce setting off check box.

More Information

The System Policy Editor (Poledit.exe) is available in the Tools\Reskit\Netadmin\Poledit folder on the Microsoft Windows 98 CD-ROM and the I386 folder on the Microsoft Windows NT CD-ROM. For information about how to install the System Policy Editor, follow the instructions in the Poledit.txt file, which is located in the Tools\Reskit\Netadmin\Poledit folder on the Windows 98 CD-ROM.

You can also download the System Policy Editor from the Microsoft Office XP Resource Kit Toolbox at the following Microsoft Web site: For additional information about using the System Policy Editor included in the Microsoft Office XP Resource Kit Toolbox, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: