Windows Live Messenger Beta

Today I downloaded and installed the Windows Live Messenger Beta and I have to say that I feel the team behind this product is really heading down the wrong road.

It's clear that their INTENT was to make it really easy to use and user-friendly, but in truth the interface is quite clumsy and kind of follows the general "More is Better" motto that I feel exists behind many Microsoft products with the exception of the developer tools. This approach bubbles many of the features to the top in a (hopeful at best) attempt at a user interface, but unfortunately as with Windows Media Player 10 and many other products this new version of Messenger misses the mark.

So awkward and unappealing is the user interface that I actually have no desire to dig deeper and play with any new or improved features in the product.

I generally dislike giving negative reviews. I feel it can be discouraging to those who worked hard on a product and take pride in it. In this case, however, I really feel that instead of keeping up with the Jones', it's time to step out AHEAD of the Jones' - and not just with Messenger.

[12 hours later]
I have uninstalled the Windows Live Messenger Beta and put the latest release version of MSN Messenger back on my system and I'm a lot happier.

93 Comments

  • I hate to say it but I kind of agree with you. I was so dissappointed with it I went to the point of going to the feedback page and sending them some of my comments. I think it's try to be too much to too many people. The default way of organizing buddies was way different than how I had it previously set up, too. All of a sudden I had a ton of names of people that are in my Hotmail contacts list - which are 10x the number of people I chat with over IM. It was annoying, to say the least, to have to figure out how to get rid of all of them through the Tools > options > general settings.

  • Couldnt agree more - messenger beta is new but i dont see any improvements in it or anything new thats worthwhile.

  • HI where did u download Windows Live Messenger :P



    please post url

  • i downloaded it..and i can't get rid of it..went to add remove, it wasn't there...but i still have the beta email...and its a pain in the but....and its making me mad...can u help

  • It was in the add/remove programs for me - sorry, I'm not sure what else to suggest unless you can track down an uninstall program somewhere in "Program Files".

  • I couldn't see anything better, I've adjusted to it now, but my font won't change now nor will my status from "Appear Offline".
    I now want to Uninstall and I can't find where to.

  • what the hell do you mean by program files

  • I agree - there is not much differnce in windows live. the layout is ugly and little things annoy me. can i remove it without removing the whole of my messenger?

  • where do you download it from?

  • HOW do u uninstall windows live messenger its terrible i want what i had b4... but i cant work out how to uninstall this other crap:(! help help!!

  • to uninstall it look in add remove and it windows live messenger no msn soo look in the W section

  • Allright Lance!! Tnx for the usefull tip... I apreciate people who give some clear answers!!!

  • help were is add/remove ii cant uninstall this live messenger and ii h8 it plz help

  • this program sucks bad real bad

  • I know its not there so I've just figured it out, well microsoft is hiding this from the add/remove, but here what to do to remove it:

    Goto Start, Run: and then paste this

    MsiExec.exe /I{FCE50DB8-C610-4C42-BE5C-193F46C6F812}

    and then press Enter, and it will do it for you

    Laters,
    DNT2003

  • kudos do dnt2003.


    the code works. i love you :]



    www.myspace.com/sil3nt_films

  • help me please!!! i want 2 uninstall windows live messinger without getting rid of my normal msn with all my contacts i just want it back 2 normal
    pleass help!!

  • thanks DNT2003 at least some1 is making some sence

  • I do not want this windows live messenger, I want my msn Messenger back. Help>>>>>>>>

  • i just want the old one back

  • i hate it its awfull

  • Thanks DNT2003
    It worked perfectly

    DJ

  • DNT2003: nice work dude (but why would they try and hide it??) hmm.. and what else haev they got hidden.. aaghhh

  • Look. I'm trying to get rid of windows live messenger because it didn't fully install. I've tired the "run" code, but it says it can only remove it from there if the installation is fully completed.
    Can you please help me? This new msn is stupid. Seriously. My old one, I damn know now, is much better.

  • how the heck do i uninstall this stupid thing!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?! please help!!!!

  • Thanks DNT2003!
    First I followed other workaround to make the ununstall visible, thought it doesn't help
    But the MsiExec.exe trick works

    Cheers!

  • I want to uninstall and it's not in Add/Remove Programs. So I tried the Start > Run method that someone entered here and I get a pop-up that says it can only uninstall things that are installed!!!

    It's definitely installed and I want it gone. Does anyone have any ideas about what I can try now?! I will really appreciate any help!

  • MsiExec.exe /I{FCE50DB8-C610-4C42-BE5C-193F46C6F812}



    This doesn't work! It said: this action only valid for program currently installed...

    But it is currently installed.......

    Anybody else can help this???

  • To Girish:

    Is it the one from be4 "MsiExec.exe /I{FCE50DB8-C610-4C42-BE5C-193F46C6F812}"

    Why it doesn't work on my pc? Message showed that "this action only valid to products currently installed"

    What can I do?

    Appreciate for help

  • I need help too!! Can someone find the new code?? I'm not good with computers, but need this gone!!

    Any help is so greatly appreciated

  • I find that I am not using the software installed
    and I am still using the old windows
    version..

  • I am in the same situation as shown above written by
    #Shawn dated April 7,2007. I want to uninstal this
    program and have used the ADD/REMOVE program
    which in doing so still get a Pop-Up showing at the
    bottom of my screen each time I turn on my computer,
    is sais that I have to verify my Name before the system
    can be used. I can Not find the Uninstal Programe so as
    to be able to Clear the screen of the Pop-Up notice.

  • how do i unistall windows live messenger???

    i add some cool things but ever since i done it, it cept freezing!!!

    bit of advice dont try get extra stuff for msn
    !!!
    byby

  • A granddaughter, age 13, visited us last month and, with my permission, installed this ugly program after promising to remove it at departure. Yes, she forgot, but did put me onto Google and there I found Lance's message of September last year. I gave my forehead the heel of my hand and cried a loud DUH! and a great THANKS to LANCE!! I'm free again.

  • I agree guys, its terrible, my computer wont even run it anymore, it just keeps saying messenger has stopped working..i really want msn messenger back but I can't figure it..any help would be very much appreciated!

  • I stumbled on how to uninstall it without going through all that 'code' stuff. just go to google, and search for the website where you installed it. RE-install it -- and it will pop a box up giving you 2 choices - one, REPAIR and the other choice says, REMOVE. Click remove and tada... it's gone. it worked for me even when the code didn't. See yas!

  • Chris, thank you so much! The code didn't work for me either, and not being able to uninstall this was starting to really irritate me. I'm so glad I was able to get it off!

  • if i uninstall windows live messenger will i loose all my contacts and msn and everything? or will it go back to the old version???????

  • Guys i cant get the W.L.M off. i tried the code that didnt wiork, just got popup saying it needs to be installed.! Then just read the advise from Chris, the thing is i didnt actualy download it from anywhere! i was using the old msn the other day, then yesterday i logged on to find the new windows live messenger... i really want to get it removed from my pc and i want the old version back....please help anyone......

  • 1. go to control panel
    2. click add/remove programs
    3. scroll down to windows live messenger and click on it
    4. click remove
    i did it in about 30 seconds easy everyone

  • Yeah, easy if it appears in the add/remove programs list...which Im SURE most ppl, like me, have already looked there and it doesnt show up to be removed

  • My Windows Live Messenger has some virus that sends people weird messages. I wanted to delete it because of that. Will the virus be gone if I delete my Windows Live Messenger?

    Thanks Nathan for ur tip! I managed to remove Windows Live Messenger immediately! Thanks!

  • Ok...... here's my problem. I installed this Live messenger thing. uninstalled it yesterday. I know i removed it from my add/remove programs. I saw the damm thing uninstall. Today it's there and wont let me install again. Says it's already on the computer. I've looked everywhere for it and it's not showing up.

    Any ideas guys.

    I'm getting ready to throw the computer out the window.

  • You People Do Know If You Own A Xbox 360, you can chat with all of your contacts from your console, that's one of the reasons i installed it, and Windows Live is gonna be the face of Microsoft soon, so you people should just deal with it and just keep chatting

  • hi, how can i re-install windows live messenger, i did it before when i had the msn virus and it was re-installed in seconds, how can i do it again?

  • pls now icant open my messenger bcz isaw a smal screen abt live messenger then i click after that icant open mein any mor pls ineed yr helpe

  • I'm not sure if this will work, as it didn't work for me, but it is posible it might work for someone else.

    1. Go to 'Start'
    2. Go to 'Run'
    3. Type the following into run; MsiExec.exe /uninstall [;Update2.msp]

  • ive got windows vista and i used the WL installer to get Windows Live Messenger, i uninstalled it because i was having problems. It now sais in add or remove programs that it is still there and whenever i try to remove it again it cannot find the file?, can anyone help ive tried searching for the file, but its nowhere on my computer. Thanks. Email me if u kno anything hoaxit@hotmail.com

  • clquek
    I think if you delete windows live messenger you'll still have the virus because it'll be in you system and not... with the windows live messenger somehow...

  • Thanks for advise. None worked. I think it is a problem with a corruped registry. I also see an icon in my computer with the sharing folders still there and I can not get rid of it either. The program will not reinstall from the same source either.....Windows Live............yipee

  • i think im going to smashthe pc if i cant get rid of it

  • hi people i tried to uninstall it and it says the patch could not be verified or something like that.
    i cant do anything with it and can't even access it.

    i would apreciate any help what so ever thankyou..

    please reply to me by emailing me on yamzi@hotmail.co.uk

    i will be waiting thanks.

  • any solution to this problem?

    not appearing in the program list to uninstall..

    can't find uninstall .exe in the program files

    "MsiExec.exe /uninstall [;Update2.msp] " and " MsiExec.exe /I{FCE50DB8-C610-4C42-BE5C-193F46C6F812} " don't work.

    Please somebody help!

  • stupid, I spent 3hrs wasted with every code and ever system method, the stupid thing is hiding somewhere. Please don't tell me to remove the word hide from the notes section...been there done that... done all that

  • None of the methods given before worked for me...

    I have nothing in add / remove, nothing in program files...every time i try to install messenger beta, it says that it is already installed, but it isn't and it isn't working...

    WHAT DO I DO?

  • yes its complicated, has anybody tried with an UNINSTALLER software ?
    im looking deep on how to get this sucking version of msn out of my computer. i will make some test on another cpmpueter and will respond as soon as possible if i find the answere.

  • ugh how do you uninstall it? i'm trying to look for the uninstall option but i can't seem to find... please answer back soon

  • hi i just recently downloaded, the newest version of msn

    i think its windows live messenger beta 9 and i cant get rid of it. I went to uninstall the program on vista and it says its gone, but whenever i try to install the old messenger that i had it says that i have to remove the new one first ( windows live messenger beat 9).

    also when i go to install othere i get a "catastrophic failure"
    plz somebody help me!!! i really want msn bak on my comp
    plz email me at djc_collins@hotmail.com

  • hi the previous comment was a bit unclear
    -windows live messenger beta 9 was installed and then wasnt working
    - i then tried to uninstall and remove, so i went to the add/remove section on vista
    -and it does not show up as i have already taken it out
    -then when i attempt to install an older version
    a message saying that i still have a newer version of messenger on the comp and i have to get rid of that first
    -what do i do to get my old messenger bak?
    email me at djc_collins@hotmail.com
    plz someone help

  • for me personally, i like the latest windows messenger the best... simple, easy, no tabs, no bottom ads, no nonsense...

    only i would like to have the offline messages thing on it... that would make it superb...

  • Try This

    msiexec /x {B1403D7D-C725-4858-AACC-7E5FA2D72859}

  • i want to uninstall windows live messenger beta-but when i go to add/remove it will not uninstall-how to i get rid of it- my winks and emotions don't work on it and my avg says its has threats every time i sign in - all i can say is i need HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLP!!!!!!

  • how do i get my old windows live messenger back, it wont let me re download it!!!!! ARGH :@

  • I've downloaded it, I HATE IT
    and i can't uninstall it
    i've tried the add/remove place and it doesn't do anything!
    D:<
    i hate everything about Beta,
    can someone help me? PLEASE!

  • To my last comment, I should stress, if you are in anyway uncertain about this process DO NOT TOUCH!!!!

  • Go to C:\Windows\regedit.exe
    Click to open
    Go to Edit > Find OR Ctrl F
    Type in Live Messenger > Enter
    On the left hand side of the box will be a list of files under the heading Data.
    Search for files with windows messenger, msn, live messenger or windows live and delete all instances.
    Once you get to the end of the list press F3 and the registry will be scanned for further instances, delete anything again with the above files names til you reach the end of the list.
    F3 again and repeat until a box pops up saying no further instances found.
    This removes all traces from the registry. You can then reinstall the older version of messenger.

    BE WARNED - IF YOU ARE IN ANY WAY UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING, DO NOT CARRY THIS OUT. IF YOU REMOVE THE WRONG FILES YOU COULD CRASH YOUR WHOLE SYSTEM.

  • I forgot to say, you should carry this out once you have uninstalled all your windows live beta stuff.

  • I Want TO Delete And Uninstall This But I Dont Work How Do I

  • okay, this way does work, i couldnt find a way and it was really getting on my nerves, until i found this;)
    okay,
    go to my computer,
    control panel;)
    thennnnnn;)
    either add/remove, or uninstall or whatever is on your pc;)
    then you choose windows live messenger Beta,
    and then it takes ages, but
    IT WORKS;)
    hope it works for you all;)
    have a good day;)
    byeeee;)

  • Uninstall this uselesss software of microsoft.....

    Procedure.....

    msiexec /x {B1403D7D-C725-4858-AACC-7E5FA2D72859}

  • hey i got a solution that is so simple i cant belieeve didnt think of it. try re installing the program, it may sound irish but it works after you re install it just go to uninstal/change program and then the unistaller asks u to repair or remove it. :D woot for simple mindedness

  • OK I have a solution too...

    go to programmes
    Go to messenger BETA
    it opens box to uninstall or repair

    click this box this opens list of things beta can install
    then Uncheck all options INCLUDING messenger beta

    and it will allow you to continue

    it then starts to uninstall!

    Why they didnt just add an uninstall option button beats me

    Then once done you will have no issues installing the older version which you will find by googling 'windows messenger live'

    Hope this helps

    from a very happily uninstalled Jo

  • thank you 'Thailand'

    that link worked for me.
    i tried everything else and then finally i used that and i uninstalled :D

  • i hate windows live messenger beta its horrid i installed it an i cannot uninstall it as it messend all my computer up

  • hi just look for a software called "windows component remover". it works perfectly, well it worked for me and a few others :) if this helped please email me on yamzi@hotmail.co.uk to let me know :)

  • i think it sux it completely scrwed up and i can't get it to uninstal

  • to uninstall Windows Live Messenger Beta then execute the following through the Run command:

    msiexec /x {B1403D7D-C725-4858-AACC-7E5FA2D72859}

  • yhh i totally agree i really thought the last messenger was great but this one is complicating things too much and although i liked parts of it overall it wasnt very good in my opinon.

  • right click on "Messenger.msi" select uninstall.

  • Thats to thailant my prob solved :D:D:D:D

    TYPE THIS IN START---->RUN:msiexec /x {B1403D7D-C725-4858-AACC-7E5FA2D72859}

  • check thailand method it worked for me ^^^^

  • hi can u please tell me how u uninstaled ur msn beta please ??? ahhhhhhhhhhh its hard trying to find out grrrrrrr

  • Hi there, I hope you got here by reading from the bottom up on this page, not top down...

    Go to the following location:

    My Computer ==>
    Local Disk (C:) ==>
    Program Files ==>
    Windows Live ==>
    Installer

    You will find the following three files:

    wlarp.exe
    wloobe.exe
    wlsres.dll

    ==> double click on wlarp.exe

    It is the uninstaller/repair program

    It worked for me
    Good luck

  • I honestly hate windows live messenger BETA because it won't let me sign in so now i cant go on msn.

  • OMG "Live Beta Hater" YOU ROCK!
    THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH
    It Worked Yay xD

  • Live beta hater i tried clicking on that thing but it wont open. I'm starting to get desperate!!!!!!!!!!! I really want something to get rid of it without having to download any other software. Can someone please explain more clearly how to uninstall it by reinstalling like where do i press uninstall. Is that before or after i press run to download?

  • WTFFF. BETA SUCKS.
    when i think i have deleted it, i go and try to get the old version back and it says newer version installed.
    i go and unistall it and it says the same thing i deleted every single thing about windows live messanger beta. and it still wont let me get my old one back. the new version sucks it is horrible and i am hoping to see that they get rid of it.

  • same here nthn worked :(
    i want msn plus
    this beta sux

  • this code works to uninstall windowslive messenger beta .

    msiexec /x {0AAA9C97-74D4-47CE-B089-0B147EF3553C}

  • I think that Live messenger was just fantastic.......Loved it.......fantastic.........

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