Upgrading My Old MSN Messenger

I currently have MSN Messenger 4.7 installed but it's no longer working
properly.

I would like to upgrade to the latest messenger only - I don't do anything
with MSN but the instant messenger.

However, my MSN Messenger is somehow linked to my Outlook Express (I can't
EXIT MSN Messenger if I also have Outlook Express running) so I'm worried
about how I can uninstall the old messenger and then install the new
messenger.

I also read about someone losing their Outlook Express (which I use for my
email).

I'm hesitant to do anything because of the fear I'll end up hosing my
computer. Does anybody know what I'd need to do to 1) remove the old windows
messenger 4.7 and the install just the newest version of instant messenger?
(and what version IS the newest?)

I'm running Windows XP SP2.

Thanks

Greetings,

Actually, there is no such things as MSN Messenger 4.7. The last MSN Messenger was 4.6
before 5.0 came out. What you have instead of Windows Messenger 4.7, which comes with
Windows XP.

The only reason why I clarify this is because MSN Messenger versions are upgradeable to the
latest, Windows Live Messenger 2009 but Windows Messenger is not.

Instead when you install Windows Live Messenger, Windows Messenger will still remain on the
system and still be usable. In fact, you can even run both at the same time (logged into
different Windows Live ID/Passport accounts).

Regards to uninstallation of Windows Messenger - you can happily uninstall Windows Messenger
but certain parts of Windows Live Messenger do require it to be installed (like Remote
Assistance). As well, Windows Updates will happily try and reinstall it again the next time
you check for updates.

Instead you can just install and use the latest Windows Live Messenger. In Outlook Express,
Windows Messenger may load up with it still, in which case all you need to do is close
Outlook Express, then download and run the following .reg file:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/dow...ssenger_oe.reg
After that Windows Messenger will be completely decoupled from Outlook Express.

Regardless, in normal circumstances you won't "hose" your computer with this stuff , even if
you get into trouble it's generally easily fixed.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2009 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--


"Dereck" <> wrote in message
news:46E70786-FFB9-4ECB-9F63-...
> I currently have MSN Messenger 4.7 installed but it's no longer working
> properly.
>
> I would like to upgrade to the latest messenger only - I don't do anything
> with MSN but the instant messenger.
>
> However, my MSN Messenger is somehow linked to my Outlook Express (I can't
> EXIT MSN Messenger if I also have Outlook Express running) so I'm worried
> about how I can uninstall the old messenger and then install the new
> messenger.
>
> I also read about someone losing their Outlook Express (which I use for my
> email).
>
> I'm hesitant to do anything because of the fear I'll end up hosing my
> computer. Does anybody know what I'd need to do to 1) remove the old windows
> messenger 4.7 and the install just the newest version of instant messenger?
> (and what version IS the newest?)
>
> I'm running Windows XP SP2.
>
> Thanks