Contact list stuffed + cannot add any contacts

Hello all, I've had this problem for a long time, but last time I emailed
Windows Live support they told me it's a known bug and told me to use
Messenger 8.5 until they fix it. Well, it seems that soon I'll be forced to
upgrade to 14.0, but I see that they still haven't fixed it after having
downloaded the newest update just then. I am wondering if anyone here knows a
solution or if anyone knows what I am supposed / expected to do otherwise,
since this bug now renders my Messenger essentially unusable.

Here was my original problem description in my support email:

==========

"I am unable to add any contacts. If I try to add anyone at all, it says
immediately "You're done! - It looks like [address] doesn't use Messenger
yet", but it does not show up on the contact list. If I try to add the same
address again, it says I've already added it. If I sign out and then sign in
again, and try adding the same address again, it says again "You're done! -
It looks like [address] doesn't use Messenger yet".

I have tried deleting the cache as suggested under "Contacts are missing
from your contacts list" in the FAQ. If I do that and start up Messenger
again, then my whole contact list disappears, and I still cannot add anyone
at all, so that makes it even worse!

I have also tried uninstalling Messenger and reinstalling it. The problem
still persists.

I mention that I use Kaspersky Internet Security, but I've always used it
and Messenger worked fine until this week. Disabling Kaspersky does not solve
the problem either.

I don't recall having done anything significant to my system between when I
was last able to add a contact successfully and now either.

I do not have any plugins or addons such as Messenger Plus.

I'd be grateful for your help."

==========

Thanks for any help in advance,
Amorette

I have exact same problem today since build 14 was required to update.
Anyone got a solution yet??

"Amorette" wrote:

> Hello all, I've had this problem for a long time, but last time I emailed
> Windows Live support they told me it's a known bug and told me to use
> Messenger 8.5 until they fix it. Well, it seems that soon I'll be forced to
> upgrade to 14.0, but I see that they still haven't fixed it after having
> downloaded the newest update just then. I am wondering if anyone here knows a
> solution or if anyone knows what I am supposed / expected to do otherwise,
> since this bug now renders my Messenger essentially unusable.
>
> Here was my original problem description in my support email:
>
> ==========
>
> "I am unable to add any contacts. If I try to add anyone at all, it says
> immediately "You're done! - It looks like [address] doesn't use Messenger
> yet", but it does not show up on the contact list. If I try to add the same
> address again, it says I've already added it. If I sign out and then sign in
> again, and try adding the same address again, it says again "You're done! -
> It looks like [address] doesn't use Messenger yet".
>
> I have tried deleting the cache as suggested under "Contacts are missing
> from your contacts list" in the FAQ. If I do that and start up Messenger
> again, then my whole contact list disappears, and I still cannot add anyone
> at all, so that makes it even worse!
>
> I have also tried uninstalling Messenger and reinstalling it. The problem
> still persists.
>
> I mention that I use Kaspersky Internet Security, but I've always used it
> and Messenger worked fine until this week. Disabling Kaspersky does not solve
> the problem either.
>
> I don't recall having done anything significant to my system between when I
> was last able to add a contact successfully and now either.
>
> I do not have any plugins or addons such as Messenger Plus.
>
> I'd be grateful for your help."
>
> ==========
>
> Thanks for any help in advance,
> Amorette