Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger

[Guest]

Hi, I'm setting up a computer for my mother-in-law. She's new to all this
and I don't want to confuse things by having two IM programs running in the
system tray.

If I remove Windows messenger I won't be able to help her using Remote
assistance right?

If I don't install MSN messenger (is it called Messenger Live now?) then she
doesn't get new hotmail notifications right?

Even if I could could find a download somewhere for the old Windows
Messenger 4.7.2009, the add-in for email notification is no longer available
right?

I can't run both and have only MSN messenger appear in the system tray right?

Seems like a mess. Any help appreciated.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings,

First of all, I'd just like to pat you on the back for doing your research. You're basically
right on all counts here, but I'll just add some specifics to each question since you've
obviously put in the time to go through all this.

If I remove Windows messenger I won't be able to help her using Remote
assistance right?

Through the Messenger clients yes it will stop working but RA will still work through Help &
Support and e-mail.

If I don't install MSN messenger (is it called Messenger Live now?) then she
doesn't get new hotmail notifications right? Even if I could could find a download
somewhere for the old Windows Messenger 4.7.2009, the add-in for email notification
is no longer available right?

That is correct, however I'd be happy to send you the add-in if you really needed it.

I can't run both and have only MSN messenger appear in the system tray right?

Well, no -but- you don't need to run both. Windows Messenger just have to be installed, it
doesn't need to be running.

As such, just open up Windows Messenger, click the Tools menu, then Options, then Preferences
tab, uncheck 'Run this Program when Windows starts' or 'Run Windows Messenger when Windows
starts' (depending on version) as well as 'Allow this program to run in the background' or
'Allow Windows Messenger to run in the background' (depending on version).

Then you can install Windows Live Messenger and have her use that. Windows Messenger won't
load and Remote Assistance will "just work" in Windows Live Messenger transparently. When
Windows Messenger is called, it will run in the background and she'll never even know it's
there.

Seems like a mess. Any help appreciated.

It is, but there is solutions and for the most part, it's not really a big deal anymore (as
long as you don't mind Windows Messenger loading in the background transparently
occasionally).

All the best,
--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Live Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

 

[Guest]

Thanks very much Jonathan, sounds like exactly what I want.

I suppose I should also uncheck 'Automatically log on to Windows Messenger'
in Outlook Express?

To clarify, I should uncheck 'Allow this program to run in the background'
in Windows Messenger? Shouldn't it be checked to allow Windows Live
Messenger to utilize it when running Remote Assistance.

Thanks again,

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi,

Yes, I forgot about the OE thing. However, that setting doesn't exactly work properly in
Outlook Express; it would be best to download and run this .reg file on the PC:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/downloads/stopmessenger_oe.reg
As this hidden registry setting will actually stop the integration (and therefore Messenger
starting) whereas that option does not.

Yes, do uncheck that. The option itself is mislabeled -- by unchecking it you're removing
further ways for it to start up. Don't worry, this won't affect Remote Assistance.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Live Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the link and the clarification. I've been browsing some of the
other posts, you appear to be some form of Messenger Angel.

For anyone else that stumbles across this, I also unpinned Windows Messenger
from the Start Menu and deleted it from Start -> All Progams. This should
avoid any confusion.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi,

Yeah something like that. Good idea removing the shortcut, less confusion is always a good
thing!

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Live Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Guest]

Hi,

Yeah something like that. Good idea removing the shortcut, less confusion is always a good
thing!

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Live Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Guest]

I'm having a problem with messenger 7.5, it's kinda long so here goes
When I am chatting messenger will freeze, but I can still type but the other
party doesn't see it, then after 1 or min. it shows I've logged off. Also
when I'm not using messenger my icon logs in and out by itself(spooky).
Anyway I hope someone can help me because this is very frustrating