I was wondering if any techie minded members could please help me, as I've just spent the best part of today trying to remove windows live messenger from my daughters XP netbook, to no avail.:mad::dft004::fit::012::035::banghead:
It dosen't appear in the add/remove programes list, so i can't shift it this way, and the codes i've found off the internet to paste into the 'run' box has not effect either ( i shut down any windows before hitting the OK button'). The XP service pack is 3, and at one point when i thought i had got rid, the program reinstalled itself back onto the computer.:confused:
If anyone has any suggestions how i can get rid once and for all (because its stopping MSN explorer from working ) i'd be most grateful.:D
warmest wishes- calla lily x
i think that u r confusing msn messenger with live messenger.
live messenger should appear in control panel -> add/remove programs and unistallation can be done easily. if you want to remove windows msn messenger then have a look at this article
i hope it helps
Hi feelinghealthy,
Many thanks for your reply.:hug: I tried your link yesterday, and it is windows live messenger, not msn messenger that i'm trying to shift. My computer has the latter installed, and shows in my control panel 'add...', but my daughter's netbook has windows live messenger and for some odd reason, does not show up in hers.:confused: The icon shows in the taskbar though,and is still functional, hence knowing its still there despite my efforts-AARGGHH! :banghead:
warmest wishes- calla lily x
Welcome to the world of Microsoft Windows, as run by Microsoft. Where your computer is yours - NOT. Anyway, unfortunately, such things as MSN and Live and IE are integrated into the OS (regardless of what the courts have mandated), so you are stuck. You could try a clean re-install of the OS. There are also several programs on the Internet that might help (run at your own risk). One I found that you might look at is ZapMessenger.
Good luck and hope for a brighter future not run my Microsoft.
Hi Calla Lily,
I have MSN live on my computer but don't use it. Therefore if you are happy to make it not run, i.e. so you can't see it anymore;
- Click on the sign in name and select options
- Click General
- Uncheck the "Automatically run Windows Live Messenger when I log on to Windows"
- Click OK
- Close the Windows Live Messenger Window
- Right click the Windows Live Messenger Icon on the systray and select exit.
If you've used Hotmail or MSN mail it will sometimes not let you exit. In that case next time you close down it will exit and not come back.
Myarka.
Myarka,
Your suggestions prevents Live Messenger from automatically signing on when Windows starts. The impression I got from the OP was to rid it completely. I assumed because of a conflict with MSN Messenger. I think there are still underlying services that run related to Live Messenger even if Live Messenger itself isn't signed on (or even present in the taskbar).
Many thanks scott and Myarka for your helpful replies, :grouphug: yes, you're right scott, i want windows live messenger gone for good as its stopping msn messenger from being installed, as with my daughter from signing into msn explorer ( a pop keeps saying something is missing, which can be repaired which can be fixed if i click the ok button. however, it crashes each and every time:rolleyes:) when i try to install msn messenger 7.0 ( this is what i have on my desktop) on her netbook, it keeps saying it cannot be installed as there is already a newer version on it ( windows live).
i'll give both your suggestions a go,and report back 
warmest wishes- calla lily x
Hi Calla Lilly,
I don't think you can install MSN Messenger over Windows Live Messenger because the later is just a later version of MSN and windows will not allow older versions of software over install newer versions.
I stopped using messenger programs when I left the business, so I'm not sure why you want MSN and not Windows Live because they basically do the same thing.
Therefore there may be another way of acheiving what you want to do with Microsoft messaging?
Myarka.
Well, there can be many reasons to want to use the older MSN over the newer Live. Some people may not like the newer look of the interface. The older interface, I think, was a little simpler. Some may prefer the fewer features. Personally, I like it that I can find patching programs that do away with the annoying adverts that are not available for Live (yet).
Hi Myarka,
the reason i need to get shot of windows live messenger is because it won't let my daughter sign into msn explorer/msn account all the time its installed on her computer.:) i prefer the old version because its something i've got on my desktop and while i stopped using it ages ago, its never caused any problems (every day i get a pop saying would i like to install a newer version, to which i always click 'no'!) unlike this blinking windows version is doing (i've yet to nab my daughter's netbook to tinker about with it re your, and scott's previous suggestions-i'm still waiting for her to bring it downstairs!:rolleyes:)
warmest wishes- calla lily x
Hi Cally Lily,
I've just de-installed Windows Live Messenger from my system through Control Panel -> Add / Remove Programs. It de-installed no problem at all, but I don't have the old version of MSN to check out if it still works.
Myarka
Hi Myarka,
Was it actually listed as windows live messenger in your list, as my daughter's 'add/remove program list dosen't have it listed for some very odd reason.:confused:
warmest wishes- calla lily x
Hi Calla Lily,
Yes it was listed as Windows Live Messenger, with Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner and Windows Live sign-in assistant.
It is odd that it's not displayed. I can't remember when my was upgraded to Windows Live from MSN, or if it was part of a service pack upgrade.
However, that doesn't help resolve your problem.
But it does suggest that it may not be installed correctly in the first place and might be the reason why you daughter can't sign in. So a possible solution is to re-install it from the MSN website and try again. At least if it's re-installed it should be back on the list to remove again.
Let me know how you get on, because we will get it cracked.
Myarka
The only windows listed in my daughters 'add/remove programs' are:
windows internet explorer 7, live essentials, live sign in assistant and live upload tool. I've just unintsalled, then installed msn explorer, but this dosen't show up too- only in the start-all programs list. :confused: windows messenger is still on the computer, i tried typing in another command via 'run', then changed something on the notepad that came up ( it was supposed to get rid of it) and restarted, but that hasn't had any effect either.
scott, i had a gander at zapmessenger, and macafee flagged the actual download as adware. although it only activated if a 'sponsor' option was selected, me and touch pad netbooks are a liability ( its got a life of its own, it clicks on anything bar what i'm intending to click!:o) so unfortunately couldn't follow your suggestion through.
warmest wishes- calla lily x
Hello Calla Lily,
Sorry that didn't resolve the problem. I've been checking through the Microsoft Knowledge base and can't find the problem. Therefore the fastest way to get an answer will be through Microsoft's support process. Just follow the links here and they should provide the correct solution:
Myarka.
Thanks for helping me Myarka, it's been much appreciated.:hug: I've now sent off an email via the link you have kindly provided, i'll let you know what the problem is once i receive a reply.:)
warmest wishes- calla lily x
WHOOO-HOOOO, ITS BEEN SORTED-YYAAAYYYYY! :dance:
I've found out why i couldn't shift windows live messenger, it was sneakily hidden under 'windows live essentials' in my daughter's add/remove programs list, which i discovered when removing the latter as an experiment when the instructions i received from msn support weren't resolving the issue.
All's well now, my daughter's a happy bunny and i'm happy too as i don't have to put up with her whining and impatience!
warmest wishes- calla lily x
Ah, good. Well done!
More problems *sigh*
Just when i thought everything was going swimmingly, another thing happens where i'd be most grateful for some help please.
My daughter's network connection on her netbook shows her local area connection network cable is unplugged: 'realtek RTL8102E family PCI-E fast ethernet NIC' . however she's on wi-fi, and my computer is working fine. i've ben trying for 2 hours to sort it out, trying stuff i've found via google as it won't let her sign into msn explorer. I can't disable, then re-enable it, or click on the red cross to rectify it unlike my computer. However, her wireless network connection is OK.:confused:
If anyone knows what i need to do, it would be much appreciated as its reduced me to tears now, trying to sort it out.:fit:
Hi Calla Lily,
If she's using her WiFi connection ok, I wouldn't worry about it. It's only because she's not using the wired connection. Mine's exactly the same and causes no problems at all. So the problem of not being able to sign on is caused by something else.
Check your Internet connections:
- Start control Panel
- Start Internet connections
- Select Connections
"Dial up and Virtual Private Network settings" should be blank to allow your internet applications to automatically select their connection.
If you still have the problem let me know.
Namaste,
Myarka.
Hi Myarka,
Many thanks for your swift reply of help :hug: i've done as suggested where the box is blank, but i've still got the problem 
Hi Myarka,
Many thanks for your swift reply of help :hug: i've done as suggested where the box is blank, but i've still got the problem
Is she able to connect to Websites like ? Is it just MSN explorer she can't connect to, or is it all of the Internet?
Myarka.
it seems just msn explorer, as i google via IE on her netbook.:)
it seems just msn explorer, as i google via IE on her netbook.:)
Ok, therefore, there is nothing wrong with the network connection because everything is working except msn explorer.
Does she always have to manually log in to MSN or is it set up to do it automatically?
Is there an error message and/or code when she tries to log on, and if so what does it say?
But jut before she does that, can she restart the computer, with "turn off" not "sleep", "stand by" or "hibernate"?
Myarka.
Hi Myarka, sorry for the delay in replying, been trying to teach my children how to revise 
yes, she has to log in manually, because she has to enter a password. after she presses enter, the butterfly logo flaps its wings, then in brackets 'attempt 2,3 etc' appears. finally, a dialogue box appears saying something like 9 can't remember the exact wording) ' unable to log onto msn explorer, due to a problem or your internet connection. please try again later'. yes, she can restart the computer.:)
yes, she can restart the computer.:)
Oops I asked the question wrong, I meant before she tried logging on again to resart the computer without sleep, standby, hibernate etc.
However, having aid that I've had the ame problem when I used MSN explorer in the past. I think I wasn't able to log on for about 4 hours, and then it was ok.
I've got to do the school run, but while I'm out have a look at:
Myarka.
Hi Myarka,
I'll get her to restart without logging on ( netbook is charging up at the mo) 
I have since found out she cannot access any websites that need a password on IE, i ran AVG this morning and no viruses were found .:confused:
I have since found out she cannot access any websites that need a password on IE, i ran AVG this morning and no viruses were found .:confused:
Does she have Windows Update enabled?
i've been trying to access windows update, and that's the proverbial spout too where fixing it has not worked :rolleyes: I think all these problems i've encountered, i'm going to have to throw it at the wall, i mean restore the netbook to its factory settings and start all over again.
One good thing has come out of this, i've finally realised why the touchpad had a life of its own- it still had the clear film over it!:o
Newsflash! i was just about to transfer my daughter's documents over to my memory stick, went to sign in msn explorer with her password on a whim and hey presto! she's in- now why didn't it do that earlier, it would have saved me hours and a whole shedload of tears!
Thanks Myarka for all your help, :hug: your kindness and time has been much appreciated.
warmest wishes- calla lily x