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How to customize Windows Live Messenger (remove ads, add/remove buttons etc)

Windows

Update:click here for an updated version of this tutorial.

With the great little program A-Patch for Windows Live Messenger you can completely customize Windows Live Messenger and MSN Messenger. Continue reading for a brief but detailed tutorial on using A-Patch.

  1. Start by determining which version of Windows Live Messenger you’re using. To do so, select the ‘drop down’ button (see image below) from the top of WLM, then choose Help -> About Messenger.
  2. windows live messenger

  3. A small pop-up window will appear. Look for the version number. Visit the A-Patch download page and download the appropriate version.
  4. windows live messenger

  5. Extract the .exe file and double-click it to launch A-Patch.
  6. windows live messenger

  7. Review the options on the initial Welcome screen. If you didn’t install Windows Live Messenger in the default location, click the button and navigate to the folder where you installed it. Otherwise, click Next.
  8. windows live messenger
    click to enlarge

  9. And here’s the first of several options screens. Determine which features you want to enable and/or disable by placing a check in each of the appropriate boxes. If you hover your mouse over any of the selections, you’ll get a more detailed description of that option. And don’t worry – anything you change can be undone later. Click Next to move to the next screen.
  10. windows live messenger
    click to enlarge

  11. Again, more options. Review them, select them, click Next.
  12. windows live messenger
    click to enlarge

  13. Review, select, Next.
  14. windows live messenger
    click to enlarge

  15. Review, select, Next.
  16. windows live messenger
    click to enlarge

  17. Wow there are a lot of things you can change. Review, select, Next.
  18. windows live messenger
    click to enlarge

  19. And again..
  20. windows live messenger
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  21. And again..
  22. windows live messenger
    click to enlarge

  23. Finally, the last screen. Once you’ve made your final selections, click the Apply button.
  24. windows live messenger
    click to enlarge

  25. A warning pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm that Windows Live Messenger is closed. If it’s not, close it now. Then click OK.
  26. windows live messenger

  27. If you didn’t close Windows Live Messenger, the patch won’t work.
  28. windows live messenger

  29. A-Patch should now display a “successfully patched” window. Leave Launch MSN Messenger checked, and click Exit.
  30. windows live messenger
    click to enlarge

  31. And check out your “new” Windows Live Messenger!
  32. windows live messenger

  33. If you want to undo anything, or make additional changes, simply run A-Patch again.

Posted in Windows.


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14 Responses

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  1. Heidi says

    I go to open this file, and it freezes up the folder it’s in.

  2. Rosimeire says

    gostaria de tirar o virus do msn sem perder os meus contatos pelo amor de deus me ajuda naum sei mais oque fazer

  3. nagi says

    hi!
    since I downloaded windows live messenger I keep getting pop up wep sites.
    I uninstall the messenger and they stopped, I would liket o install the messenger again but prevent the pop ups. Any suggestions how to prevent pop ups!!
    thanks

  4. pOji says

    Be careful, it froze my WLM 8.5.1302, I couldn’t launch WLM anymore after I applied some settings. I had to restore those settings in order to use my live messenger again. And the “remove Advertisment” tool doesn’t work for me, I still see ads on bottom of the main window. Sorry but this sucks… maybe it’s only for the U.S. (english) versions of MSN, WLM respectively.

  5. anon says

    lol 15 contacts..

  6. Pamma says

    It works for me the ads on botton OF window live messenger is removed with this A patch thanks :)

  7. phil says

    a-patch is brilliant makes msn usable again. shame about not being able to change settings in latest version. by the way if you gt forced to upgrade by microsoft then just install messenger 4.7 works a treat and it only uses 4MB . newest vrsion of msn if very tyrannical.

  8. ana gonzalez says

    i love my winodows messanger buy i wish i can make it look more pritty.

  9. Fredo says

    It’s definitely not a virus! stop wining people!
    this is real, I’ve been using this for a long time

  10. Fredo says

    @ana gonzalez:
    go to msgplus.net and download messenger plus, there are tons of skins or you can create your own. HTH

  11. Sardog says

    I uninstall all the Windows Live crap except Live Messenger, and then when I want to patch Windows Live Messenger I startup in safe mode and run A-Patch. I don’t have any issues after that. I am not saying you have to patch it in safe mode, I am just saying it seems to avoid any problems with services running that cause the “MSN Messenger Still Running” problem.

  12. dan man says

    is there anyway to remove windows live messenger on start up? i keep closing it down but it always pops right back up. and also, how can i customize it to have my pic

Continuing the Discussion

  1. Live Messenger - TechSpot OpenBoards linked to this post on September 4, 2009

    [...] Try wiping messenger, follow the link >> http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/07/16…e-buttons-etc/ [...]

  2. How to remove the ads from Windows Live Messenger – Simple Help linked to this post on October 5, 2010

    [...] have previously covered this topic (How to customize Windows Live Messenger) – this tutorial is the “up to date” [...]



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