Windows Live Messenger and the Notification Area in Windows 7

I recently started using Windows 7, and just like I did when I used XP, I
let it automatically login when I login to Windows. However, a difference
that I have noticed, and I don't know whether this is because of Windows 7
or because of an update to Windows Live Messenger, but instead of having an
icon in the System Tray (or Notification Area in Windows 7), it is displayed
as a button on the Taskbar like most programs would be. Personally, I don't
like this change because since the majority of the time, I just keep it open
so that people can IM me and so that I can see Alerts and stuff, so having a
whole button on the Taskbar just takes up more space than necessary. Is
there a way to make Windows Live Messenger appear as an icon in the
Notification Area instead of a button on the Taskbar? If not, I would like
to suggest making this an option in the next version. Thanks.
--
Nathan Sokalski

http://www.nathansokalski.com/

+1

"Nathan Sokalski" <> wrote in message
news:9DC0A883-8382-4788-AA81-...
> I recently started using Windows 7, and just like I did when I used XP, I
> let it automatically login when I login to Windows. However, a difference
> that I have noticed, and I don't know whether this is because of Windows 7
> or because of an update to Windows Live Messenger, but instead of having
> an icon in the System Tray (or Notification Area in Windows 7), it is
> displayed as a button on the Taskbar like most programs would be.
> Personally, I don't like this change because since the majority of the
> time, I just keep it open so that people can IM me and so that I can see
> Alerts and stuff, so having a whole button on the Taskbar just takes up
> more space than necessary. Is there a way to make Windows Live Messenger
> appear as an icon in the Notification Area instead of a button on the
> Taskbar? If not, I would like to suggest making this an option in the next
> version. Thanks.
> --
> Nathan Sokalski
>
> http://www.nathansokalski.com/

Greetings Nathan,

It's a feature of Windows 7. Yes you can change it back to the way it was by heading to the
Program Files or Program Files (x86) folder (the latter if you're using 64-bit Windows),
choosing Windows Live, then Messenger, and then right-click on msnmsgr.exe (the application
itself), then choose Properties. Click the Compatibility tab and set it to be in
compatibility more for Vista. Click OK and re-launch Messenger.

As much as we'd all like to see it be an option, my guess is that's not going to be
happening.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2010 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--


"Nathan Sokalski" <> wrote in message
news:9DC0A883-8382-4788-AA81-...
> I recently started using Windows 7, and just like I did when I used XP, I let it
> automatically login when I login to Windows. However, a difference that I have noticed, and
> I don't know whether this is because of Windows 7 or because of an update to Windows Live
> Messenger, but instead of having an icon in the System Tray (or Notification Area in
> Windows 7), it is displayed as a button on the Taskbar like most programs would be.
> Personally, I don't like this change because since the majority of the time, I just keep it
> open so that people can IM me and so that I can see Alerts and stuff, so having a whole
> button on the Taskbar just takes up more space than necessary. Is there a way to make
> Windows Live Messenger appear as an icon in the Notification Area instead of a button on
> the Taskbar? If not, I would like to suggest making this an option in the next version.
> Thanks.
> --
> Nathan Sokalski
>
> http://www.nathansokalski.com/

Thanks! Even if they aren't going to make it an option, your solution is
good enough for me; it makes it easy to see the status, takes up less screen
space, and is still easy to open, so I'm happy!

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Greetings Nathan,
>
> It's a feature of Windows 7. Yes you can change it back to the way it was
> by heading to the Program Files or Program Files (x86) folder (the latter
> if you're using 64-bit Windows), choosing Windows Live, then Messenger,
> and then right-click on msnmsgr.exe (the application itself), then choose
> Properties. Click the Compatibility tab and set it to be in compatibility
> more for Vista. Click OK and re-launch Messenger.
>
> As much as we'd all like to see it be an option, my guess is that's not
> going to be happening.
>
> --
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> (c) 2010 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature
> or citation
> --
>
>
> "Nathan Sokalski" <> wrote in message
> news:9DC0A883-8382-4788-AA81-...
>> I recently started using Windows 7, and just like I did when I used XP, I
>> let it automatically login when I login to Windows. However, a difference
>> that I have noticed, and I don't know whether this is because of Windows
>> 7 or because of an update to Windows Live Messenger, but instead of
>> having an icon in the System Tray (or Notification Area in Windows 7), it
>> is displayed as a button on the Taskbar like most programs would be.
>> Personally, I don't like this change because since the majority of the
>> time, I just keep it open so that people can IM me and so that I can see
>> Alerts and stuff, so having a whole button on the Taskbar just takes up
>> more space than necessary. Is there a way to make Windows Live Messenger
>> appear as an icon in the Notification Area instead of a button on the
>> Taskbar? If not, I would like to suggest making this an option in the
>> next version. Thanks.
>> --
>> Nathan Sokalski
>>
>> http://www.nathansokalski.com/
>
>

--
Nathan Sokalski

http://www.nathansokalski.com/

Hi Nathan,

Yeah it's a decent workaround for now. Glad I could be helpful.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2010 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--


"Nathan Sokalski" <> wrote in message
news:AE9DBC75-A2D2-4BFD-B2E3-...
> Thanks! Even if they aren't going to make it an option, your solution is good enough for
> me; it makes it easy to see the status, takes up less screen space, and is still easy to
> open, so I'm happy!
>
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Greetings Nathan,
>>
>> It's a feature of Windows 7. Yes you can change it back to the way it was by heading to
>> the Program Files or Program Files (x86) folder (the latter if you're using 64-bit
>> Windows), choosing Windows Live, then Messenger, and then right-click on msnmsgr.exe (the
>> application itself), then choose Properties. Click the Compatibility tab and set it to be
>> in compatibility more for Vista. Click OK and re-launch Messenger.
>>
>> As much as we'd all like to see it be an option, my guess is that's not going to be
>> happening.
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Kay
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> (c) 2010 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
>> --
>>
>>
>> "Nathan Sokalski" <> wrote in message
>> news:9DC0A883-8382-4788-AA81-...
>>> I recently started using Windows 7, and just like I did when I used XP, I let it
>>> automatically login when I login to Windows. However, a difference that I have noticed,
>>> and I don't know whether this is because of Windows 7 or because of an update to Windows
>>> Live Messenger, but instead of having an icon in the System Tray (or Notification Area in
>>> Windows 7), it is displayed as a button on the Taskbar like most programs would be.
>>> Personally, I don't like this change because since the majority of the time, I just keep
>>> it open so that people can IM me and so that I can see Alerts and stuff, so having a
>>> whole button on the Taskbar just takes up more space than necessary. Is there a way to
>>> make Windows Live Messenger appear as an icon in the Notification Area instead of a
>>> button on the Taskbar? If not, I would like to suggest making this an option in the next
>>> version. Thanks.
>>> --
>>> Nathan Sokalski
>>>
>>> http://www.nathansokalski.com/
>>
>>
>
> --
> Nathan Sokalski
>
> http://www.nathansokalski.com/