Display name has changed to email addresses?

I downloaded the windows destop live main but had problems running it. I
uninstalled it again but now when I sign into messenger the display names are
the mail adresses. I cannot for the life of me get the display name back! I
have uninstalled and deleted the folder but with same result. Can anyone help
me as it is really annoying??

Greetings,

You should be able to change it back by in any Messenger window by clicking the Tools menu
(or press Alt-T if its hidden), then Options and change it in the first field at the top.
Alternatively you just open the main Messenger window, click your display name (or e-mail
address right now), choose Personal Settings and change it there.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

"DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
news:E9438093-E2F0-4134-9164-...
>I downloaded the windows destop live main but had problems running it. I
> uninstalled it again but now when I sign into messenger the display names are
> the mail adresses. I cannot for the life of me get the display name back! I
> have uninstalled and deleted the folder but with same result. Can anyone help
> me as it is really annoying??

That doesnt work either. It doesnt actually say the whole email address just
the name before @. And it looks like it is addresses I have saved in my
addressbook and I havent just entered through messenger; if that makes sense?
"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:

> Greetings,
>
> You should be able to change it back by in any Messenger window by clicking the Tools menu
> (or press Alt-T if its hidden), then Options and change it in the first field at the top.
> Alternatively you just open the main Messenger window, click your display name (or e-mail
> address right now), choose Personal Settings and change it there.
>
> --
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> Associate Expert
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
> --
>
> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
> news:E9438093-E2F0-4134-9164-...
> >I downloaded the windows destop live main but had problems running it. I
> > uninstalled it again but now when I sign into messenger the display names are
> > the mail adresses. I cannot for the life of me get the display name back! I
> > have uninstalled and deleted the folder but with same result. Can anyone help
> > me as it is really annoying??
>
>

Hi,

What exactly happens you try to change it? Nothing happens or it's grayed out or what?

As for the "looks like the address book", are you still talking about your display name or
contact list? If so, could you type out a few examples (you can change some letters around
obviously for privacy).

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

"DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
news:B4E5CE17-9773-4FB4-8E99-...
>
> That doesnt work either. It doesnt actually say the whole email address just
> the name before @. And it looks like it is addresses I have saved in my
> addressbook and I havent just entered through messenger; if that makes sense?
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Greetings,
>>
>> You should be able to change it back by in any Messenger window by clicking the Tools menu
>> (or press Alt-T if its hidden), then Options and change it in the first field at the top.
>> Alternatively you just open the main Messenger window, click your display name (or e-mail
>> address right now), choose Personal Settings and change it there.
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Kay
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> Associate Expert
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
>> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
>> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
>> --
>>
>> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
>> news:E9438093-E2F0-4134-9164-...
>> >I downloaded the windows destop live main but had problems running it. I
>> > uninstalled it again but now when I sign into messenger the display names are
>> > the mail adresses. I cannot for the life of me get the display name back! I
>> > have uninstalled and deleted the folder but with same result. Can anyone help
>> > me as it is really annoying??
>>
>>

Hi again,
well, my display name is what i chose it to be : happy tuesday. It is the
list of contacts that doesnt show a display name. So lets say one's display
name comes up as : PhilJensen.. where his "real" or chosen display name is
Canada Is Cold. but all I can see is PhilJensen which is also his email
address. Or Jacob is his chosen display name but all I see is Sith_Wizard.
Makes sense?

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> What exactly happens you try to change it? Nothing happens or it's grayed out or what?
>
> As for the "looks like the address book", are you still talking about your display name or
> contact list? If so, could you type out a few examples (you can change some letters around
> obviously for privacy).
>
> --
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> Associate Expert
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
> --
>
> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
> news:B4E5CE17-9773-4FB4-8E99-...
> >
> > That doesnt work either. It doesnt actually say the whole email address just
> > the name before @. And it looks like it is addresses I have saved in my
> > addressbook and I havent just entered through messenger; if that makes sense?
> > "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> Greetings,
> >>
> >> You should be able to change it back by in any Messenger window by clicking the Tools menu
> >> (or press Alt-T if its hidden), then Options and change it in the first field at the top.
> >> Alternatively you just open the main Messenger window, click your display name (or e-mail
> >> address right now), choose Personal Settings and change it there.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Jonathan Kay
> >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> >> Associate Expert
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> >> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> >> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
> >> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
> >> --
> >>
> >> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
> >> news:E9438093-E2F0-4134-9164-...
> >> >I downloaded the windows destop live main but had problems running it. I
> >> > uninstalled it again but now when I sign into messenger the display names are
> >> > the mail adresses. I cannot for the life of me get the display name back! I
> >> > have uninstalled and deleted the folder but with same result. Can anyone help
> >> > me as it is really annoying??
> >>
> >>
>
>

Hi,

That makes a lot more sense. Just open up the main Messenger window, click the Contacts menu
(or press Alt-C if the menu is hidden), choose View Contacts By and then choose Display Name.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

"DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
news:B9D5A5EF-2457-4851-95B4-...
> Hi again,
> well, my display name is what i chose it to be : happy tuesday. It is the
> list of contacts that doesnt show a display name. So lets say one's display
> name comes up as : PhilJensen.. where his "real" or chosen display name is
> Canada Is Cold. but all I can see is PhilJensen which is also his email
> address. Or Jacob is his chosen display name but all I see is Sith_Wizard.
> Makes sense?
>
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> What exactly happens you try to change it? Nothing happens or it's grayed out or what?
>>
>> As for the "looks like the address book", are you still talking about your display name or
>> contact list? If so, could you type out a few examples (you can change some letters
>> around
>> obviously for privacy).
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Kay
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> Associate Expert
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
>> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
>> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
>> --
>>
>> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
>> news:B4E5CE17-9773-4FB4-8E99-...
>> >
>> > That doesnt work either. It doesnt actually say the whole email address just
>> > the name before @. And it looks like it is addresses I have saved in my
>> > addressbook and I havent just entered through messenger; if that makes sense?
>> > "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Greetings,
>> >>
>> >> You should be able to change it back by in any Messenger window by clicking the Tools
>> >> menu
>> >> (or press Alt-T if its hidden), then Options and change it in the first field at the
>> >> top.
>> >> Alternatively you just open the main Messenger window, click your display name (or
>> >> e-mail
>> >> address right now), choose Personal Settings and change it there.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Jonathan Kay
>> >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> >> Associate Expert
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
>> >> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> >> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
>> >> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
>> >> --
>> >>
>> >> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:E9438093-E2F0-4134-9164-...
>> >> >I downloaded the windows destop live main but had problems running it. I
>> >> > uninstalled it again but now when I sign into messenger the display names are
>> >> > the mail adresses. I cannot for the life of me get the display name back! I
>> >> > have uninstalled and deleted the folder but with same result. Can anyone help
>> >> > me as it is really annoying??
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

Heh, thats where the problem is. I have already done that and it still comes
up that way. But I have just tried and installed an older version and that
seems to have taken the problem away. I guess its live messenger that is
playing with me.

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> That makes a lot more sense. Just open up the main Messenger window, click the Contacts menu
> (or press Alt-C if the menu is hidden), choose View Contacts By and then choose Display Name.
>
> --
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> Associate Expert
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
> --
>
> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
> news:B9D5A5EF-2457-4851-95B4-...
> > Hi again,
> > well, my display name is what i chose it to be : happy tuesday. It is the
> > list of contacts that doesnt show a display name. So lets say one's display
> > name comes up as : PhilJensen.. where his "real" or chosen display name is
> > Canada Is Cold. but all I can see is PhilJensen which is also his email
> > address. Or Jacob is his chosen display name but all I see is Sith_Wizard.
> > Makes sense?
> >
> > "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> What exactly happens you try to change it? Nothing happens or it's grayed out or what?
> >>
> >> As for the "looks like the address book", are you still talking about your display name or
> >> contact list? If so, could you type out a few examples (you can change some letters
> >> around
> >> obviously for privacy).
> >>
> >> --
> >> Jonathan Kay
> >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> >> Associate Expert
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> >> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> >> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
> >> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
> >> --
> >>
> >> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
> >> news:B4E5CE17-9773-4FB4-8E99-...
> >> >
> >> > That doesnt work either. It doesnt actually say the whole email address just
> >> > the name before @. And it looks like it is addresses I have saved in my
> >> > addressbook and I havent just entered through messenger; if that makes sense?
> >> > "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Greetings,
> >> >>
> >> >> You should be able to change it back by in any Messenger window by clicking the Tools
> >> >> menu
> >> >> (or press Alt-T if its hidden), then Options and change it in the first field at the
> >> >> top.
> >> >> Alternatively you just open the main Messenger window, click your display name (or
> >> >> e-mail
> >> >> address right now), choose Personal Settings and change it there.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Jonathan Kay
> >> >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> >> >> Associate Expert
> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> >> >> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> >> >> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
> >> >> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
> >> >> --
> >> >>
> >> >> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
> >> >> news:E9438093-E2F0-4134-9164-...
> >> >> >I downloaded the windows destop live main but had problems running it. I
> >> >> > uninstalled it again but now when I sign into messenger the display names are
> >> >> > the mail adresses. I cannot for the life of me get the display name back! I
> >> >> > have uninstalled and deleted the folder but with same result. Can anyone help
> >> >> > me as it is really annoying??
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> > H

Hi,

What you were describing sounded like it was on "First and Last Name" to be honest.

But yes the contact store in Windows Live Messenger is completely different from previous
versions. There are some other things you do to refresh the names, but if you're happy with
the old version then that's fine.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

"DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
news:28211557-283A-43D7-B27B-...
> Heh, thats where the problem is. I have already done that and it still comes
> up that way. But I have just tried and installed an older version and that
> seems to have taken the problem away. I guess its live messenger that is
> playing with me.
>
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> That makes a lot more sense. Just open up the main Messenger window, click the Contacts
>> menu
>> (or press Alt-C if the menu is hidden), choose View Contacts By and then choose Display
>> Name.
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Kay
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> Associate Expert
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
>> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
>> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
>> --
>>
>> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
>> news:B9D5A5EF-2457-4851-95B4-...
>> > Hi again,
>> > well, my display name is what i chose it to be : happy tuesday. It is the
>> > list of contacts that doesnt show a display name. So lets say one's display
>> > name comes up as : PhilJensen.. where his "real" or chosen display name is
>> > Canada Is Cold. but all I can see is PhilJensen which is also his email
>> > address. Or Jacob is his chosen display name but all I see is Sith_Wizard.
>> > Makes sense?
>> >
>> > "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi,
>> >>
>> >> What exactly happens you try to change it? Nothing happens or it's grayed out or what?
>> >>
>> >> As for the "looks like the address book", are you still talking about your display name
>> >> or
>> >> contact list? If so, could you type out a few examples (you can change some letters
>> >> around
>> >> obviously for privacy).
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Jonathan Kay
>> >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> >> Associate Expert
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
>> >> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> >> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
>> >> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
>> >> --
>> >>
>> >> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:B4E5CE17-9773-4FB4-8E99-...
>> >> >
>> >> > That doesnt work either. It doesnt actually say the whole email address just
>> >> > the name before @. And it looks like it is addresses I have saved in my
>> >> > addressbook and I havent just entered through messenger; if that makes sense?
>> >> > "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Greetings,
>> >> >>
>> >> >> You should be able to change it back by in any Messenger window by clicking the
>> >> >> Tools
>> >> >> menu
>> >> >> (or press Alt-T if its hidden), then Options and change it in the first field at the
>> >> >> top.
>> >> >> Alternatively you just open the main Messenger window, click your display name (or
>> >> >> e-mail
>> >> >> address right now), choose Personal Settings and change it there.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Jonathan Kay
>> >> >> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> >> >> Associate Expert
>> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
>> >> >> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> >> >> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
>> >> >> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
>> >> >> --
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "DanishGirl" <> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:E9438093-E2F0-4134-9164-...
>> >> >> >I downloaded the windows destop live main but had problems running it. I
>> >> >> > uninstalled it again but now when I sign into messenger the display names are
>> >> >> > the mail adresses. I cannot for the life of me get the display name back! I
>> >> >> > have uninstalled and deleted the folder but with same result. Can anyone help
>> >> >> > me as it is really annoying??
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> > H

i have a related problem but it is with display name of one of my contacts. i
added a new contact last week on one machine. when i logged on from a
different machine, his email address showed up instead of his display name. i
tried removing and adding him again but that didn't help. the machine having
the problem is running w2k3. later on, i ran into the logon problem and i
reinstalled messenger and cleaned up the registry which solved the logon
problem but not the display name problem. and often times when he is online,
the status shows offline! though i could actually IM him.

in any case, i hope the messenger team starts to focus on the quality of the
new live version instead of adding new features. at all, what's the use of
those features if the basic ones are not working smoothly? the live version
seems to be pretty buggy.

Hi Q,

To attempt to get him back showing correctly, shut down Messenger entirely by right-clicking
on its icon in the notification area and choosing Exit, then download and run this .reg file:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/dow...lmpolicies.reg

Then try signing in again. It make take 30-40 seconds after signing in before you see any
change.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

"-Q" <-> wrote in message
news:3D3457C5-F2C6-471A-AAF0-...
>i have a related problem but it is with display name of one of my contacts. i
> added a new contact last week on one machine. when i logged on from a
> different machine, his email address showed up instead of his display name. i
> tried removing and adding him again but that didn't help. the machine having
> the problem is running w2k3. later on, i ran into the logon problem and i
> reinstalled messenger and cleaned up the registry which solved the logon
> problem but not the display name problem. and often times when he is online,
> the status shows offline! though i could actually IM him.
>
> in any case, i hope the messenger team starts to focus on the quality of the
> new live version instead of adding new features. at all, what's the use of
> those features if the basic ones are not working smoothly? the live version
> seems to be pretty buggy.