Where are messenger settings held?

[Dave Willis]

Do you know where the user settings for MSN Messenger are
stored on the (networked) p.c? Are they somewhere in the
Registry, or held in an .ini file, or somewhere else?

Thanks - Dave

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Dave,

Depends what settings you're looking for -- some can be found in
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger and others can be found by clicking Start,
then Run, type "%appdata%\microsoft\msn messenger" and click OK.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Dave Willis]

Thanks Jonathan,

In particular, I'm looking for the checkbox which enables
Chat Logs. I want to turn it on every time my kids log
in, so I can keep an occasional eye on the Messenger
conversations they're having with friends or strangers.

Any thoughts on where that data is held?
Dave

-----Original Message-----
Greetings Dave,

Depends what settings you're looking for -- some can be found in
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger and

others can be found by clicking Start,

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Dave,

You'll find it under "MessageLoggingEnabled" in
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MSNMessenger\PerPassportSettings\number
where number is a random number (that identifies their account).

It is a binary value, so you'll just want to turn it on and see what it changes to get the
correct value.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Dave Willis]

Jonathan,

Unfortunately, this key doesn't exist in my registry.
There's no "MSNMessenger" key under "Software", and I
searched the entire registry for "PerPassportSetting" - it
just doesn't exist.

I think the kids use Messenger v6.1, and the operating
system is XP Pro - could it be that the registry keys are
different in this case?

Thanks again - Dave

-----Original Message-----
Hi Dave,

You'll find it under "MessageLoggingEnabled" in
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\MSNMessenger\PerPassportSetting s\number
where number is a random number (that identifies their account).

It is a binary value, so you'll just want to turn it on

and see what it changes to get the

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Dave,

Sorry Dave, made a small error. It's
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\*Microsoft*\MSNMessenger\....
(with no asterisks)
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Dave Willis]

Hi Jonathan,

Sorry to appear awkward, but the key "MSN Messenger" only
appears under:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Messenger
Service\Clients and
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersio
n\Installer\Folders.

The key "PerPassportSettings" doesn't appear anywhere in
the Registry.

Could you have one more try?!

Many thanks - Dave

 

[Dave Willis]

Jonathan,

Further to my previous reply... I also looked
for "MSNMessenger" (without the space). Again, keys only
exist under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, whereas I would expect to
find the user settings under HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

Sudden thought - could it be possible that the settings
are held on the Microsoft central database, rather than
the p.c., so that they still apply even if the user is not
using a Windows p.c.?? In this case, it would be
interesting to know what the log function does.

Cheers - Dave.

 

[Dave Willis]

Jonathan - any more news yet? Thanks - Dave

-----Original Message-----
Hi Jonathan,

Sorry to appear awkward, but the key "MSN Messenger" only
appears under:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Messenger
Service\Clients and
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersi o
n\Installer\Folders.

The key "PerPassportSettings" doesn't appear anywhere in
the Registry.

Could you have one more try?!

Many thanks - Dave

.