Window Live Messenger. Can't "uninstall" it!

Hi, earlier I decided to download that new version of WLM, as soon as I
downloaded it I did not like it so I thought I'd just go and redownload the
older version (8.1, I believe).
However, when I tried to download the last version it said it can't because
I have a newer version installed and it said to remove it using add/remove
programs. I went there and WLM wasn't there to uninstall. I decided to
uninstall related programs but it still said the same thing.

I then decided to just delete the program from the program files and I even
searched to delete files relating to it. Then I went to download 8.1 again
and it STILL said I had the new one installed, but I have completely deleted
it, even if I bring the shortcuts back they can't find it installed. It's
gone.
I decided to just try and download the new one again and see if it would
appear on add/remove programs if I downloaded it again. But guess what! It
also said it was STILL installed and would not reinstall it!

Someone please help! I just want to go back to good old 8.1!

In fact, was 8.5 the one before this new one? If so, I just want to go back
to it.

OK, I've managed to get the new messenger back by pulling it from my recycle
bin, can anyone suggest how I'll get back to 8.5?

It is a component of 'Windows Live Essentials' in the add/remove dialogue
Michael


"SuperScot" <> wrote in message
news:5E3DCC20-B5AE-4210-AA1D-...
> Hi, earlier I decided to download that new version of WLM, as soon as I
> downloaded it I did not like it so I thought I'd just go and redownload
> the
> older version (8.1, I believe).
> However, when I tried to download the last version it said it can't
> because
> I have a newer version installed and it said to remove it using add/remove
> programs. I went there and WLM wasn't there to uninstall. I decided to
> uninstall related programs but it still said the same thing.
>
> I then decided to just delete the program from the program files and I
> even
> searched to delete files relating to it. Then I went to download 8.1 again
> and it STILL said I had the new one installed, but I have completely
> deleted
> it, even if I bring the shortcuts back they can't find it installed. It's
> gone.
> I decided to just try and download the new one again and see if it would
> appear on add/remove programs if I downloaded it again. But guess what! It
> also said it was STILL installed and would not reinstall it!
>
> Someone please help! I just want to go back to good old 8.1!

Greetings,

Then you can uninstall it as Michael already mentioned (Windows Live Essentials in the Add or
Remove Programs/Programs and Features in the Control Panel) and then install 8.5 by
downloading and running the following Microsoft Installer (MSI) file:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/redir/wlm85.asp

Also, if you really want 8.1 as mentioned in your initial message, this can be found here:
http://microsoft.com/downloads/detai...0-ddbed94864fc

Although 8.5 has some connectivity bug fixes, beyond the few small UI changes as well, so I
would suggest you use 8.5 instead.

--
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
--


"SuperScot" <> wrote in message
news:18AFEA19-823B-462E-8EFB-...
> OK, I've managed to get the new messenger back by pulling it from my recycle
> bin, can anyone suggest how I'll get back to 8.5?

Hi, I have looked but there is nothing by the name of "Windows Live
Essentials" I think I read that on the Help Centre page but that's the
problem, that doesn't appear. Will I install some more of the components and
see if that brings it up?

"Michael Walraven" wrote:

> It is a component of 'Windows Live Essentials' in the add/remove dialogue
> Michael
>
>
> "SuperScot" <> wrote in message
> news:5E3DCC20-B5AE-4210-AA1D-...
> > Hi, earlier I decided to download that new version of WLM, as soon as I
> > downloaded it I did not like it so I thought I'd just go and redownload
> > the
> > older version (8.1, I believe).
> > However, when I tried to download the last version it said it can't
> > because
> > I have a newer version installed and it said to remove it using add/remove
> > programs. I went there and WLM wasn't there to uninstall. I decided to
> > uninstall related programs but it still said the same thing.
> >
> > I then decided to just delete the program from the program files and I
> > even
> > searched to delete files relating to it. Then I went to download 8.1 again
> > and it STILL said I had the new one installed, but I have completely
> > deleted
> > it, even if I bring the shortcuts back they can't find it installed. It's
> > gone.
> > I decided to just try and download the new one again and see if it would
> > appear on add/remove programs if I downloaded it again. But guess what! It
> > also said it was STILL installed and would not reinstall it!
> >
> > Someone please help! I just want to go back to good old 8.1!
>
>

OK, Windows Live Essentials is just not going to appear on Add/remove
programs. Can anyone suggest how I get rid of this so I can download 8.5?
Will a system restore work? Or is there another way to remove the program so
my PC thinks it's not there? I'm using XP if that helps.

"SuperScot" wrote:

> Hi, I have looked but there is nothing by the name of "Windows Live
> Essentials" I think I read that on the Help Centre page but that's the
> problem, that doesn't appear. Will I install some more of the components and
> see if that brings it up?
>
> "Michael Walraven" wrote:
>
> > It is a component of 'Windows Live Essentials' in the add/remove dialogue
> > Michael
> >
> >
> > "SuperScot" <> wrote in message
> > news:5E3DCC20-B5AE-4210-AA1D-...
> > > Hi, earlier I decided to download that new version of WLM, as soon as I
> > > downloaded it I did not like it so I thought I'd just go and redownload
> > > the
> > > older version (8.1, I believe).
> > > However, when I tried to download the last version it said it can't
> > > because
> > > I have a newer version installed and it said to remove it using add/remove
> > > programs. I went there and WLM wasn't there to uninstall. I decided to
> > > uninstall related programs but it still said the same thing.
> > >
> > > I then decided to just delete the program from the program files and I
> > > even
> > > searched to delete files relating to it. Then I went to download 8.1 again
> > > and it STILL said I had the new one installed, but I have completely
> > > deleted
> > > it, even if I bring the shortcuts back they can't find it installed. It's
> > > gone.
> > > I decided to just try and download the new one again and see if it would
> > > appear on add/remove programs if I downloaded it again. But guess what! It
> > > also said it was STILL installed and would not reinstall it!
> > >
> > > Someone please help! I just want to go back to good old 8.1!
> >
> >

Hi,

System restore will work yes.

Alternatively you click Start, then Run and enter this:
msiexec /x {0AAA9C97-74D4-47CE-B089-0B147EF3553C}
and click OK.

If that doesn't work, you will need to make use of ZapMesseger:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/redir/zapmessenger.asp

--
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
--

"SuperScot" <> wrote in message
news:3B2128D0-5EE8-48A2-8037-...
> OK, Windows Live Essentials is just not going to appear on Add/remove
> programs. Can anyone suggest how I get rid of this so I can download 8.5?
> Will a system restore work? Or is there another way to remove the program so
> my PC thinks it's not there? I'm using XP if that helps.
>
> "SuperScot" wrote:
>
>> Hi, I have looked but there is nothing by the name of "Windows Live
>> Essentials" I think I read that on the Help Centre page but that's the
>> problem, that doesn't appear. Will I install some more of the components and
>> see if that brings it up?
>>
>> "Michael Walraven" wrote:
>>
>> > It is a component of 'Windows Live Essentials' in the add/remove dialogue
>> > Michael
>> >
>> >
>> > "SuperScot" <> wrote in message
>> > news:5E3DCC20-B5AE-4210-AA1D-...
>> > > Hi, earlier I decided to download that new version of WLM, as soon as I
>> > > downloaded it I did not like it so I thought I'd just go and redownload
>> > > the
>> > > older version (8.1, I believe).
>> > > However, when I tried to download the last version it said it can't
>> > > because
>> > > I have a newer version installed and it said to remove it using add/remove
>> > > programs. I went there and WLM wasn't there to uninstall. I decided to
>> > > uninstall related programs but it still said the same thing.
>> > >
>> > > I then decided to just delete the program from the program files and I
>> > > even
>> > > searched to delete files relating to it. Then I went to download 8.1 again
>> > > and it STILL said I had the new one installed, but I have completely
>> > > deleted
>> > > it, even if I bring the shortcuts back they can't find it installed. It's
>> > > gone.
>> > > I decided to just try and download the new one again and see if it would
>> > > appear on add/remove programs if I downloaded it again. But guess what! It
>> > > also said it was STILL installed and would not reinstall it!
>> > >
>> > > Someone please help! I just want to go back to good old 8.1!
>> >
>> >