Windows Live Messenger Uninstaller v0.01
This is the first public version of the Windows Live Messenger Uninstaller (v0.01).
What the tool does is basically remove a broken Windows Live Messenger installation. It really uses only the windows installer (msiexec.exe) to do the job combined with the CLSID of the installation that uniquely identifies the WLM version.
The symptoms might be that when you want to reinstall the application it might say that it is already installed, while actually it is not. When trying to remove it with the usual Configuration – Add/Remove software steps, it might not even appear in the list, while the setup of the WLM says it is really installed.
I decided to build this tool since there are a lot of people strugling with this problem [1][2][3][4]. All these existing solutions presented by people on these sites use the single command with a CLSID key (eg. msiexec /x {B1403D7D-C725-4858-AACC-7E5FA2D72859}), but since the key is different for each WLM version such a solution might only be useful if you have that exact version. It can also be done manually by changing the registry keys, but I thought this would speed up the work significantly since there might be a lot of keys to search in (The location we are talking about here is: [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Installer\Products\])
I heard of people formatting the entire hard drive because of not being able to resolve this, so I really hope this gets around and avoids a lot of headaches.
You can download this first version of the tool below.
Download binary | Download source code (pascal)
MD5 hash binary: 7525a442da4b4515c8166debfc4a4d01
MD5 hash source code: 28efa8f882c5354c6c4845393724e99a
Requirements
The tool is tested on Windows 7, but should also work on XP and Vista.
Usage
The tool is very simple to use. If it finds an installation it will give you the uninstall command that you can use to manually remove it. You can also press RUN and it will run the command automatically for you.
Note: This software comes with absolute no warranty! By using this program you agree that I am not responsible for anything caused by this software whatsoever.
Future releases
If you have any comments, suggestions or bugs, please put them here in the comments. If it is useful I might add/fix it in the next release.
Currently I’m planning to build a more general remover for the Windows Live series, since there are also other components that could get broken.
References
[1] http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_uninstall_windows_messenger.html#comments
[2] http://ayumilove.wordpress.com/2009/03/14/how-to-install-remove-windows-live-messenger-2009/
[3] http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/02/11/remove-and-uninstall-windows-messenger/
[4] http://www.vistax64.com/live-messenger/185883-cannot-uninstall-windows-live-messenger-beta-2009-a.html
Untrue descriptions on other sites linking to this page
The link to this topic is already published on several sites, but unfortunately the presented description of the tool is misleading. For it says that I’m claiming to have a better tool than all the other existing solutions, which is of course not true. This is only another alternative that may solve the problem.
In my description I was only referring to the existing solutions presented on the topics and comments on these that I used as references (see above [1][2][3][4]) and not on any other existing tool that probably uses other methods.
Softpedia certification
The tool can now also be downloaded from Softpedia.
Windows Live Essentials Uninstaller
If you also want to remove other Windows Live Essentials components like Windows Live Mail or Windows Live Movie Maker, then try a similar tool that I have built called Windows Live Essentials Uninstaller. This tool can remove any component installed by Windows Live Essentials.
Related posts:
- Windows Live Essentials Uninstaller
- “Show my webcam” not available and grey webcam during video call problems in Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8117.416
- Enable transfers/sharing of files with potentially unsafe file types in Windows Live Messenger
- Windows Live Essentials Offline Installer
- Large file sizes after compiling with Lazarus
it actually worked!! THANK YOU! i have been trying for so long to get rid of WLM, and im pretty good with computers, but this is the only thing that worked:D thanks a million!:)
Hi.. I tried it but “Windows Live Messenger not found!”, i’m sure that there must be something left in the system that cause error when i try to re-install WLM..
I’vw downloaded the source code (pascal) too, but how to use that?
Add: I just tried ccleaner (this software has removed all the useless registry included WLM),
tried RegCure too.. (but i deleted it manually, didnt work too..)
I’ve tried and revo uninstaller (it didnt work well, it didnt detect any trace of WLM)..
Arghh.. It keeps stuck on 39%
@Nobe
Soon I’m planning to release a new version of the tool with more thorough analysis of the system for traces. Keep an eye on the blog until then.
@eddsn
Looking forward for it.. I really need msn.. alot of contacts there.. thanks before..
Will this link work for uninstalling windows live essentials?
Well god be darn… this thing actually work!!! wow man… you’re the man… i’ve been trying to FIND IT AND DELETE IT and trying to reinstall it again… thanks alot man… u are the man… u are the man!!!
wait wait, how come it says “Failed because service is temporarily unavailable, please try again later” it keeps saying that every time i try to log in =(
Nobe I think that the WLM is really removed and you’re getting some other error while trying to install WLM. Can you give me the precise error or some screenshots when it stops?
That should be something else that is causing the problem, since you have succesfully reinstalled WLM.
It won’t work for other Windows Live Essentials products, or WLE itself. But as you might have read, I’m planning to build a general remover for all the other Windows Live products too. Like I said to Nobe, keep an eye on the blog.
Als je eens googlet dan vind je vast wel een oplossing. Misschien dat dit helpt:
http://www.oplossing.be/index.php?action=printpage;topic=35832.0
OMG. HONESTLY. I’VE LOOKED THROUGH EVERYTHINGGGG. WEBSITES, YOUTUBE TUTORIALS AND THIS IS THE ONLY THING THAT HAS WORKED. I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR 3 DAYS TO FIX THIS. THANK U. THAT’S ALL I CAN SAY. NOW I CAN GO TO SLEEP.
dude, you rock. I’d tried everything, all the technet articles from M$, RUNDLL32, the full monty, only your utility which gets the msiexec GUID actually worked. Thank you!
wow…… thanks man you’re simply amazing it actually worked i’ve been trying to get rid of my msn for about 6 months now and i would say i know a thing or two about computers but nothing else worked except this thanks so much!!!!!!!!
this worked beautifully wow thanks alot and it was free to be honest mate i think you should create a donate button because nothing else online has worked except your program alot of people would donate to you to keep this software upto date.
very much appreciated look forward to using your products in the future.
thank you the haybot , i worked finally!
u r a lifesaver…
Whenever I use the program it comes up with an error window that says “List index (1) out of bounds. Press Ok to ignore and risk data corruption. Press Cancel to kill the program”. When I click OK, nothing happens… and same with when I click cancel! Can anyone help?
@Em
That’s very odd. I can’t imagine, why it gives an index out of bound. I’ve contacted you via email.
Love you, 3 entire days trying to uninstall it manually, thanks.
It worked like a magic when everything else (add&remove program, manual, zapmessenger) failed.
I am very thankful.
@Em
I’m getting the exact same message, any advice?
Hello eddsn …help !!
So i tried your WLM Uninstaller v0.01 and it started out fine, but i get a popup that says
that i need to look for “an alternate path to a folder containing the installation package Messenger.msi”
…this is what i get in the “Use source” C:\Program Files\Common Files\Windows Live\.cache\c68c09d01cb0132\ …i looked everywhere including a search, and i couldn’t find it?
…where do i go from now, suggestions?
@Joel
I’m currently finishing a general remover for the whole package Windows Live Essentials, that can also remove Windows Live Messenger. The public version will include scanning some alternate path in Windows where all installers reside. Keep watching the blog.
But if you want you can contact me via email and send me a screenshot of the popup you’re getting.
Hi… help me…
My windows live essential 2011 is corrupt. I cannot remove it.
I cannot reinstall new suit because installer tell me there is already intsallen a new version.
How can i remove the suite totally (registry and directory) and reistall all?
Please help me… Microsoft messenger official forum cannot help me (naturally!!!)
Ciao
Hi,
I cannot uninstall my current version of windows live essentials as I keep getting the error:0×80280008 when I try to install WLE 2011. I use Win7 but have never been able to install Movie Maker.
I am hoping your new general installer will work to uninstall all of WLE 2010.
Is it due out soon and can you put me on your list to be notified with link when it is ready?
Thanks for your help.
Cheers,
Campy
Hi… News for unistaller WLE 2011?
cheers
Hi,
I ran your uninstaller and then rebooted. When I tried to install WLE2011. Messages said
“Couldn’t install programs. You already have different build flavor. Error:0×8028008.”
I have an ACER Aspire 5810TZ with an udgraded Windows 7 home premium OS. I got it
in 2/2010 and have been trying to load Movie Maker since with no luck. I do however have
WL Photo Gallery running.
Any ideas would be most appreciated.
Cheers,
Campy
Hi, I have finally fully uninstalled all versions of WLE using the detailed instructions in the following windows forum,
http://windowslivehelp.com/thread.aspx?threadid=0a2c12ee-4cde-4dfb-aa8b-16a10a75aabb
Follow ALL instructions. It worked for me.
Nope – this only half uninstalls mesenger and leaves a damaged registry behind…
The best way to get rid of messenger is make a class action law suit against Microsoft – remember they did all this crap before and got their arse kicked with the famous judgement againt them (browser cannot be uninstalled)
Now they are at it again with this stupid messenger that never works on these computers here… (cannot connect, connect uninstall, cannot install new)
Sue them !!!!!!!!!!!!
Dude….you rock!! This trouble with messenger was about to drive me nuts and make worst things that format mysystem disk (I was near about killing Bill Gates) because of the incommunication with my pals
WoW. Seriously man thanks. This thing has had me stumped for 3 days now, ive looked everywhere to try and remove this damn thing.
Mad Props.
Hi,
nice work. Got this PC cleaned up.
Cheers
Tom
You my friend are an absolute genius! Respect!
It worked perfectly with me on XP Pro.
Thank you very much, as you saved me from further headaches!!
I should find smth similar for ‘Live Mail”
@George
There is a similar tool that I’ve built. Take a look at “Windows Live Essentials Uninstaller” on this blog.
There is a message saying that it couldn’t find the original messenger.msi … any idea? Thanks.
@Jess
Try Windows Live Essentials Uninstaller. In the list of all the apps select Windows Live Messenger and hit on UNINSTALL.
Thanks but it still says missing of the original messenger.msi.
@Jess
Did you try to reinstall it?
Yes, but it said it’s not the “original” version.
@Jess
Try googling the error message you are getting. Or post a screenshot here.
I was so close to backing up everything and formatting.. thank you so much! This was certainly a headache
Thanks very much!! This worked perfectly and solved a huge problem for me where I couldn’t upgrade WLM as the installer was saying I already had it.