The Motive SmartBridge background task is installed with Verizon Online’s software which is included with their residential DSL service. It has an autoupdate prompt which runs at startup. I disabled it on my computer simply because I don’t know exactly what it does. Since I don’t have a use for it and anything running uses up some memory, I’ll keep it that way. Read the comments to learn about removing verizon online support center.
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I found a page that explains Motive, it seems like it’s used to collect and pass information that will help Verizon to troubleshoot broadband problems that might come up. The page links to a commercial product that removes Motive and other background processes like Motive. How did you remove it? I can’t seem to find any shortcuts in startup folders (on Windows ME); there’s probably a Windows startup mechanism that I’m ignorant of.
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Alex, there are 2 locations. One is the typical start menu folder; the other is in the registry. There’s an easy way to access it: go to start -> run -> type “msconfig” (without the quotes) and click ok. click the Startup tab. Everything checked in that list starts up when your comoputer does. I uncheck everything I don’t need. I think Motive is in here.
When you save and restart after this, you might get a notice that Windows is in “selective startup” mode. That’s fine; my system is always on that mode without problems. I would check the box so it doesn’t notify you again. Then, don’t worry about it.
Hope this helps.
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Hi Elliot,
I’am trying to get rid of my smartbridge alert and what has been listed as far as removing and adding programs. I don’t have any thing listed for a support center. I tried the msconfig but I’m not sure what to disable. I’ve had this error for a long time. We do have AT&T dsl. And I’m running windows xp. I’m not real computer savy but I try. If you could help I would appreciate it. Thank You
Georgia Fowler-
In the “Startup” tab of msconfig, look for something like “Motive Smartbridge” and uncheck it.
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Hi, I got rid of the smartbridge the way you said and it was easy to do . thank you
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Following your instruction I disabled the Motive SmartBridge and the Motive SmartBridge AutoUpdate window that came up every time I started my computer. The Startup Item name for Motive Smartbridge is MotiveSB. Thank you for your helpful and easy to follow instrucitons.
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Thanks Elliot, it worked like a charm. No more Motive SmartBridge.
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Glad to hear it!
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Moring, Elliot I have windows 2000 and it just doesn’t have a file on msconfig to get rid of the motiveSB. Any help in solving this issue? Thanks
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uninstall Support Center it is an evil thing that will destroy the universe
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Elliot..
Thanks to your instructions I was able to remove the Motive SmartBridge Autoupdate from my computer. I was so sick & tired of getting that message everytime I turned on my computer.
Thanks! -
Works for my XP, Thank you
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thanks for the headsup on the motive smartbridge fix………..
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Hi. I’m a new Verizon customer myself, and was having the same problem. Thanks for the help!
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I have verizon dsl with msn for around a year I been getting this popup motive sb update even when I not online this is the first time to ever see this a plain text window
and I also get a popup that looks very simular that is porn,or windows update .somtime it is messanger servive again the popup windows look very simular.my popup blocker will not block this and you have to click either yes or no to get out the X at top right does nothing.sound familiar to anyone? -
It worked for my PC too.
Tnxs! -
Elliot,
Thank you so much for posting the answer. I can finally rest easy knowing I don’t have to click “no” every time I log on.
Question: Does anybody know what the Motive SmartBridge Update does?
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Reynaldo, I’m 3 months behind – if you are running Windows 2000, get a copy of msconfig.exe from someone running XP or Win9x and copy to your c:\Winnt\system32 folder. You will then be able to run it under W2K.
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Thanks for the info on how to uninstall the Motive SmartBridge AutoUpdate. How annoying that was! One possibly related question: I now have Comcast instead of Verizon, yet IE still says “MIE provided by Verizon Online”. How do I get rid of Verizon completely?? Thanks in advance.
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Edit the registry… look into it on Google, or dive right in if you’re familiar with regedit.
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Thanks for the Motive SmartBridge info! question: I’ve had Verizon DSL for about 18 months and only started getting the Motive SB update available message a couple of weeks ago. Any idea why?
Unrelated question: every time my computer starts up I get a message that Windows is closing down the Win32 client something something. I just tell it okay and it doesn’t seem to be causing any problems, but I’d like to know there isn’t some problem happening in the background that I don’t know about? does this sound at all familiar? -
I have not been prompted to update my smartbridge and I feel I should do so as I keep getting error messages saying my smartbridge crashed or what not. Is there any way I can force an update? Thanks!
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Thanks for showing me how to get rid of MotiveSmartBridge.What a pain. Nobody seems to Know what it is…not even Verizon Customer Support! Getting rid of that as well as msn messenger has made my dsl work high speed without frequent viruses.
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Motive MSartBridge has a sister program called “Motive Chorus Dae,” or something like that. I have “Zone Alarm” firewall installed on my Windows XP pc. Simply disabled SmartBridge from accessing the internet through Zone Alarm. That’ll teach that nasty little program. And shame on Verizon for including the annoying little add-on with their software. Doesn’t speak well for putting the customer first!
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Thanks for your service in putting this on the web. I found it via Google.
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I have had Verizon DSL for about 9 months. Although I like the service, tonight was the first time to see that Motive SmartBridge trying to download to my XP machine. I Clicked yes at first, then stopped it dead in its tracks from Task Manager on a second thought that it could be something unpleasent for my PC.Went straight to Google to find out about this. Great info here. Thanks
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Rather than full with ‘regedit’ et. al., I followed Tristan’s 7/20/04 advice to uninstall Vz Spt Ctr after the repeated Motive SmartBridge prompt. Why would I agree to update a product I know nothing about that was apparently installed on my PC without my knowledge?!? Anyway, just wanted to say “thanks” to Tristan and all other contributors. One quick question: Now that I’ve uninstalled this Vz stuff, is there anything else I need to do (like, via Norton SystemWorks?) to remove all traces? Thanks for your help!
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Thanks – i thought it was another pop up that if i click anywhere on it. i was toast. and yes i have had verizon for over a year and it just began coming up. I almost went to mediacom this week i like dsl but don’t want the phone line. but also do not want to pay $50 a month for mediacom. Knocked all extras on my phone line and just don’t answer it, all junk calls anyway. I am glad to hear it the smart thing is nothing – my daughter might hit on it but now i know it matters not.
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