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
Coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!
Thank YOU!
Well done. At last i managed to get rid of it. I’ve been trying for days now. Thank you for the wonderful solution.
best software..realy helped thanks thank thanks i was just planing toformat whole c:
This is terrific. I am a very basic computer user, I tried everything deleting folders from Program files, removing possible everything from Add remove that had the word live associated and I was this (I wish you could see the strand of hair I am holding) close to formatting my machine. your program worked like a charm, simple and easy to use, excellleeeeennnnttttt…… Thank you! You are a permanent bookmark in my browser.
It get the job done. Thank you!
you are a legend, mate
thanks
Thanks for this!
The fact that WLM doesn’t have an uninstall option in the Add/Remove list pissed me off.
Glad I found this before I got really frustrated!!
Gracias!!!!
Greetings from Ensenada, México.
Thank you
ur tool fixed the problem
good stuff
Great app!
Thanks!
It did its magic.
In my case I think it was Eset Smart Security that screw things up in the first place, by silently blocking the Live-products as well as Internet Explorer.
But still, this app did what it was said to do.
The only thing I miss within your app is some kind of confirmation when the work is done.
Thanks again!
The tool is just executing the general windows uninstaller application [msiexec.exe] and that should give you enough feedback that the removal is over. But I’ll keep it in mind though and try to give some more completion feedback in the next version.
Thank you for your reply.
Absolutely awesome. Worked on Windows XP fine.
You are a legend buddy.
Dont work for me!!!
Can you also specify why?
Didn’t work for me as well. I was forced to update my WLM and canceled it halfway through because it took too long (big mistake I guess). So I tried reinstalling it, and now it’s stuck on 52%.
I tried using zapmassenger and it does no good. It just showed “finished. All messenger references removed”
I tried using Windows Live Messenger Uninstaller (v0.01) too but it didn’t help much. It just showed “Windows Live Messenger not found!”.
Anyone help? Cant keep using eBuddy or meebo.com. I am about to give up
Cheers,
Sammie
samuelsanti_@hotmail.com
@Sammie
Sammie maybe there is something else wrong? Is there any message you get when you try to install WLM?
Yes.
After the install failed, it says “messenger couldn’t be installed because we had trouble installing these requirements:- (all list of microsoft shit you get from web installer)……Try installing windows live program again. aborted:0×80004004
Then I went to add/remove programs. Windows Live Messenger is on the list but there was no option to uninstall or repair it. There were other programs as well such as Windows Live Upload Tool and Windows Live Sign-In Assistant. I tried uninstalling these two program but was unable to. It says, “Another program is being installed. Please wait until that installation is complete, and then try installing the software again.”
Sammie
@Sammie
If this didn’t help, then probably there are some more broken things. Try Revo Uninstaller. I have seen some people that solved the problem with that tool too.
eddsn,
Came to this site from ask-leo.com and want to confirm that this works in Win7.
Like most others, fully expected WLM to appear in Programs and Features list and it failed.
My mistake was downloading WLM 2009 as an offine installer.
I think the “secret sauce” (read: M$ crap) is in the web installer. even if you select Messenger as the ONLY option, it must also install “manager software” (for lack of a better term), instead of the individual item.
Could be good to incorporate XP/Vista (dropdown list or OS-specific, determined on app startup) into this but I also suspect they use different PIDs to uninstall.
Thanks for the app of Wonderment.
eddsn,
Revo uninstaller doesnt work either. It kept saying “unable to install because another installation is in progress, please finish it first.”
About to give up with WLM. -___-”
@Sammie
There might be some other problems on your system. If another installation is in progress then your “msiexec.exe” file is probably running for some strange reason. Try killing it through the task manager and then again try Revo.
thank you so much that works excelent i have been trying to uninstall it for bout 2 weeks now
The program did not work for me (It said the WML was not installed), but you show me the way to solve my problem.
Thank you.
Regards,
Juan.
@Juancitox
If you have more specific feedback post it here so I can eventually implement it in the next version.
You are awesome and generous to have this software fix available to people. I hate the fact all this added stuff is on the computer and you can’t get rid of it. I have bookmarked your website for future reference and help. Thank you thank you thank you!!
Really helpful. Thank you so much.
Am I glad there is someone to help uninstall windows live mess. and you are now on my favorites list. Everyone else is looking for a quick buck just to answer a question never mind help you.
————————Thank you very much you download enned my proplem——————-
Edwin
AWESOME PROGRAM
WORKED A TREAT
Wow thx !!! it’s very very helpful !! thx alot !!
I do not know if I wrote a thank you for the download on getting rid of windows messenger for I ran into other problems. Now I have windows live mail and microsoft cam on my desk top and would like to return them back to my programs where they belong. At this time they do not show on my programs.
———Thank you for your expertice and keep up the good work———-Eddie Boynto Beach.
thank you soooo much for this.you saved me of a big trouble.
Thanx a lot! It really works
I got rid of it at last! It perfectly works on Vista system as well 
eddsn this program is fantastic i had the same problem as everybody else and i did uninstall WLM but when i reinstalled the program when i put my password and click sing in it inmediatly shows me an error so i think its because the other programs that the windows essentials installer have are baddly installed. can you give us some codes to put on your program that runs the others uninstallers?
@jose
You should google that error on the internet. And besides, as I announced I’m planning to build a windows live uninstaller which would include the messenger and others from the windows live series. You can expect this in a few months from now, because I’m very busy in my private life.
I can help you here with your problem though. Just post some specific error details (try googling first).
@everyone
Thank you for all your feedback. Really appreciate it.
OMG~!!! it works!! thanks a lot!!! at last! my suck WLM has been unistalled!!! really need to be careful now..i wan’t to install WLM..but still feel doubt which WLM can be trust!
Thanks for article and share. Thanks admin.
Worked for me.
thnx.
A great tool. Attempting to uninstall Windows Live Essentials failed from within the Control Panel and with Revo Uninstaller.
Would dearly love to remove other Windows Live progs by selecting from an option list.
looks nice but i cant get it to findit , this is what i get, Windows Live Messenger not found!
i am using vista 64…thank you
BRILLIANT….Thank you so much. My pc is XP and trouble was with version 14.0.8089.726 WML…hours of ??? whats up with this reinstall, saying i have messenger when quite clearly NOT. Found YOU
clicked on “Download binary” then run. Went back to install WML and so happy now all is up and running. I have added you to favourites, incase i want to uninstall in future. Thanks again for support.
Hy there…it worked for me as well
thanks a lot.
Best wishes.
Paula.
OMG! Thankyou so much – i have been trying to figure this out for about 2 years!
Thanks!
thanksssssssssssssss you are THE MAN
it says windows messenger not found
THX THX THX THX !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank You! You make my day!
Still cant seem to fix it. I tried looking for “msiexec.exe” but it wasnt running. I’m still stuck at 52%
I only get this text up when I try this. :/
“This action is only valid for products currently installed.”
thankyou so much you just made my day this is like the best thing ever cuz i was having trouble with error codes n shit THANKYYOU THANKYOU THANKYYOU THANKYOU THANKYYOU THANKYOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!