XFOR: How to Configure Instant Messaging Client System Policy Settings (264472)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server
This article was previously published under Q264472
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

By modifying certain registry keys, administrators can configure the system policies of the Instant Messaging client to control what is displayed in the client and to control which servers the client can connect to.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
All policies for the Instant Messaging client are stored in the following registry key:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\MessengerService\Policies

If the Policies key is missing, manually create it before you configure the values in the following list.

The policies and their values are:
  • DisableCrossPromo. 0 = Not disabled; non-zero = disabled. Default is 0.

    DisableCrossPromo disables the advertisement banner space. When it is disabled, you only see the MSN logo with no dynamic ads or news coming from MSN.

    NOTE: This setting only works if ExchangeConn is also set to 2, which means that you can only connect to an Exchange Server computer with the Instant Messaging client.
  • DisableUpdates. 0 = Not disabled; non-zero = disabled. Default is 0.

    DisableUpdates controls whether the client handles the automatic upgrade notices that the MSN Messenger service sends out when a new client needs to be installed to work with the MSN Messenger Service protocol. Some Instant Messaging administrators might not want employees upgrading their clients by this method.
  • ExchangeConn. 0 = Normal operation; 1 = Exchange always primary; 2 = Exchange only.

    ExchangeConn permits the control of the Instant Messaging service providers that are in use and visible by the client, as well as the service provider that is the primary default service provider. This setting permits you to disable the MSN Messenger Service if you do not want employees using the MSN Messenger Instant Messaging functionality.
  • IMWarning. Text to appear when Instant Messaging window is opened. Default is to use the standard reminder.

    IMWarning permits the setting of the warning message that appears in the message window. The current default is set to display a warning that the user should not give out credit card numbers and passwords over Instant Messaging sessions. If you set this string to a space (that is, " "), the message does not appear. You can set the string to any custom message that you want to display to the user.
  • DefaultNTLMDomain. Text containing default NTLM domain for NTLM Authentication.

    DefaultNTLMDomain permits you to set the location of the domain that should be used as the default for NTLM authentication. This string appears in the Logon dialog box for the user.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/25/2005
Keywords:kbhowto KB264472
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