MSN Argh!

[Oniya]

So, last night, I upgraded my MSN software, since the old version started crashing.  Unfortunately, I managed to mistakenly check the 'Sign me on automatically' box.  You'd think that there would be some place for me to unselect this option, but the program appears to launch transparently, with no front end that I can find.  My old version shows up in my taskbar, but indicates that I'm not signed in.  I wasn't even aware I was logged in until someone messaged me.

Anyone have any ideas?  I really don't like to stay logged in, as I am randomly away from my machine.

[HockeyGod]

So, last night, I upgraded my MSN software, since the old version started crashing.  Unfortunately, I managed to mistakenly check the 'Sign me on automatically' box.  You'd think that there would be some place for me to unselect this option, but the program appears to launch transparently, with no front end that I can find.  My old version shows up in my taskbar, but indicates that I'm not signed in.  I wasn't even aware I was logged in until someone messaged me.

Anyone have any ideas?  I really don't like to stay logged in, as I am randomly away from my machine.

You should be able to file-logout and then log in again, this time not checking.

[Oniya]

I'll have to see if that worked.  When I launched my front-end (which was the old front-end - I've never seen a new one), and logged in, it said it had to log me out as I had logged in from another location.  I'm assuming that would be the updated version. 

[Caeli]

You could also try messing with the settings or preferences. I'm not familiar with how MSN is set up, but for most applications you can turn off the function that logs you in automatically when Windows starts up through the application settings.

[Oniya]

The thing that made it difficult in this case is that there was no window for the 'front-end' of the program (such as where you see who is online, etc.)  With previous versions, it would pop up that list, as well as a little news window from MSN.  The first and only clue I had that I was logged in this morning was seeing a pop-up that someone else had logged in.  I even went as far down as my task list (Ctrl-Alt-Del) and only found the IM window listed as an active part of MSN.

[Caeli]

Have you tried right-clicking on the taskbar button? That will sometimes offer the option of going straight to preferences, or of showing your front-end menu / buddy list.

[Oniya]

I'll double-check that when I reboot, assuming that Alxnjsh's suggestion doesn't fix it.