How do I uninstall Windows Live Messenger in Windows 7 Ultimate

Hi,

Have you tried Windows Live Essentials in Programs and Features (Control Panel>Programs and Features>Windows Live Essentials)?

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John Barnett MVP: Windows XP Associate Expert: Windows Desktop Experience: Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk; Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org; Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org;

Hi John:

Couldn't find in >Control Panel>Programs and Features>Windows Live Essentials< 
"Programs and features" in Control Panel using Windows 7 Ultimate

Thanks for your prompt reply, would have replied at sooner, however, we were sending off my
wife's sister back to Bournemouth.

Regards

Gus

Hi Gus,

Try this:

1/ Click the Start button
2/ When the Start menu opens look to the Right of the menu and you should see an option called 'Run'
3/ Click on Run to open the Run dialogue box
4/ In the Run dialogue box type: RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
5/ Next press the OK button
6/ If all goes well you will be asked to restart your computer. Click Yes to restart
7/ Hopefully Messenger should now be removed

Incidentally you might find it easier to 'copy and paste' the above command l;ine into the Run dialogue box rather than typing it yourself.

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John Barnett MVP: Windows XP Associate Expert: Windows Desktop Experience: Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk; Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org; Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org;

Hi John

1/ Never saw Run box in start menu like on other versions of windows. 3.0 thru Vista
2/ However, when clicking on Start, I typed "Run" in search box and got it,
3/ I copied and pasted   RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
4/ Clicked OK and got error >Could not locate, INF file "C://windows\INF\msmsgs.inf"<

Best regards

Gus
BTW: Now 86, was MS MVP #22 same era Mark Ferguson was a MSN MVP, and Patty L kept us all honest :-)
        Still in contact with Mike Maltby, he speaks highly of you.

Hi John

Using Windows 7 Ultimate I had to choose Run box on Start Menu: Now have it there.

Also if I press Windows Logo Key+R I can get it.

So far I like Windows 7 very much.

Regards

Gus

Hi Gus,

The 'Run' option has to be enabled from 'task and start menu properties' (Start Menu>Customise). This is something that I always do out of habit with any of the Windows operating systems i'm currently using.

I've gone to the INF folder on both Vista and Windows 7 and I can't find it either. However, I do have the Windows Live Essentials option in my Programs and Features folder whereas you do not.

Let's see if the Windows Messenger guru and MVP Jonathan Kay can solve your problem with his 'ZapMessenger.' See: http://messengergeek.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E3785B1281BBDA1!1118.entry  I haven't personally tried this because I use messenger a lot so don't want to remove it, but as we appear to be stumped as to what to do next it is certainly worth a try.

I've been an MVP for 9 consecutive years now. I wasn't sure whether I would get re-awarded this year (October) due to me slowing down on my newgroup work after I was diagnosed in late June of this year with Oesophageal Cancer. Fortunately I did get re-awarded so people have to put up with my nuisance for another year:-) I haven't met Mike Maltby personally but I do know of him. lf he 'speaks highly of me' I can say I have at least one fan:-)

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John Barnett MVP: Windows XP Associate Expert: Windows Desktop Experience: Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk; Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org; Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org;

Hi John

Thanks: However, by going to Live Messenger, right clicking>Menu>Tools>Options>Sign In> un-selecting all "Open Messenger on Startup" It's gone . . . .

Best regards

Gus

Hi Gus,

Yes that prevents Messneger from starting but it doesn't 'uninstall' the program. However, if you are happy to simply 'turn it off' rather than uninstall it completely then that's okay with me. I didn't offer you instructions on how to prevent messenger from running on startup because of your request to 'delete' windows live messenger. At least you have now solved the problem to your satisfaction.

Thanks for letting me know you had sorted the problem

Regards

John

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John Barnett MVP: Windows XP Associate Expert: Windows Desktop Experience: Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk; Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org; Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org;

I tried to start an account in windows live messenger. Every time I try to check for messages it wants me to download a "newer" version (3x today). When i try to get help i am given multiple thousands of other peoples questions to go through hoping to find someone withj the same problem. Besides the fact that most of the replies are way beyond my admittedly rudimentary skill level, the whole concept of my being expected to do this is ludicrous. Now i just want to know how to cancel my account and hopefully remove this from my computer, because just seeing the icon is getting me upset to the point where I have already asked my employer if we can switch to another operating system (I think you can surmise who I suggested).

Hi,

Have you tried uninstalling Windows Live Essentials? (Control Panel>Programs and Features>Windows Live Essentials). Newer versions only come out periodically, the current version being 2009. You won't be able to 'cancel' your account as such (well unless you opted for the paid for option of your hotmail/msn account.) With the free hotmail/msn account all you need do is simply not access your email for 30 days (I think? It may be slightly longer). If you don't access your hotmail/msn account within that period of time the account is automatically closed.

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John Barnett MVP: Windows XP Associate Expert: Windows Desktop Experience: Web: http://www.winuser.co.uk; Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org; Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org;