Paulo Morgado

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Windows Live Messenger Unable To Connect With Error Code 80040200

Today I came across this issue when trying to sign in to Windows Live Messenger.

Everyone I talked to was able to sign in, though, so I tried another account and was also able to sign in.

Binging around, I found several blog posts pointing to a post in the Messenger Support blog with the solution to this problem. In my case (Windows 7 x64) the solution would be to remove the %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts (usually C:\Users\<Windows Logon name>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts) folder.

Instead of removing the folder, I thought of renaming it to avoid removing my contacts for all account that were able to sign in. When I tried it, I got an error stating the the folder was already being used by another application.

Since I had Windows Live Mail open and assumed it uses the same contact store, I closed it and was able to sign in to messenger with no problems.

As a developer and architect, I find it disturbing that such errors are presented to the user. The message hinted that there was a problem signing in to the server and, as it turned out, it was a problem with only one account for only one Windows user in only one machine.

So, developers and architects out there (me included), always give the user an error message meaningful to what problem he/she is running into. Adding technical data to help support is nice but should be expressly accessed by the user (Windows Live Messenger got that part right).

Posted: Sep 02 2009, 12:55 AM by Paulo Morgado | with 19 comment(s)
Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Imad AlOtaibi said:

I am facing the same problem with Windows XP..

Please advise with the solution...

Error code is : 80040200

Thanks

# September 20, 2009 3:31 AM

Paulo Morgado said:

Hi Imad,

Like it says on the Messenger Support Blog, the solution is removing the Windows Live Contacts folder.

# September 20, 2009 12:07 PM

may said:

Hi Paulo , its not the same solution because we dont have that folder in XP .. maybe she has a diffrent name because I cant find her . Please .. your help

# October 2, 2009 6:59 PM

Paulo Morgado said:

For XP, that would be:

%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts

or:

C:\Documents and Settings\<Windows logon name>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft

# October 3, 2009 8:42 PM

jennah said:

how do i get to my windows live contacts ? x

# October 16, 2009 5:20 PM

Paulo Morgado said:

I'm not sure I understand your question.

# October 16, 2009 6:28 PM

Fox said:

Works like a charme!! I was a bit sceptical about renamin the folder, but it worked, and I still have all of my conteacts!! Thank you VERY much!

# November 22, 2009 1:44 PM

mickey said:

how do you mean replace,replace where???delete..???

# November 23, 2009 3:48 PM

mickey said:

how do you mean replace folder????replace where??delete...what???

# November 23, 2009 3:49 PM

Den said:

I am getting Error Code 80040200 for quite a while and don't know how to solve this problem, I have tried about everything I know.  Please help me, I have Windows Vista.

# January 1, 2010 10:39 AM

Paulo Morgado said:

This has solved the problem for me.

# January 1, 2010 2:20 PM

RaaN said:

This solution doesn't work!  I have Windows XP and deleted the MSN Messenger folder from C:\Documents and Settings\<Windows logon name>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft

# January 12, 2010 10:00 PM

Paulo Morgado said:

It worked for me!

# January 13, 2010 7:59 PM

Bing said:

Thanks Paulo! I fixed my pc. I have window vista. I followed your direction. It works.

# January 23, 2010 2:18 PM

Paulo Morgado said:

I 'm glad I could help.

# January 23, 2010 2:34 PM

Yasmeen said:

Thnx Paulo it works.......

# April 15, 2010 10:18 AM

lonelyegg said:

wat is the file name called on vista, all ive found is AppPatch

# August 11, 2010 9:33 PM

Paulo Morgado said:

On the Messenger Support Blog they have:

In Windows Vista, C:\Users\<Windows Logon name>\App Data\Local\Microsoft

# August 11, 2010 9:39 PM

Richard said:

excellent solution Paulo - it still works, thanks

# May 23, 2012 8:35 AM
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