How to uninstall old Messenger??

I have outdated Messenger software on a Dell Inspiron 5100 that I'm cleaning up for my neighbor.

The FileHippo update checker wants me to install Windows Live Messenger 2009 (14.0.8117) to replace the Installed Version: 4.7.0.3001.

The thing is, my friend definitely doesn't want any kind of messenger software on her computer. So I'm looking for any kind of tool or workaround to get rid of this dinosaur software once and for all. (Because I also want to train her how to use the FileHippo update checker, and I'd rather be able to advise her simply to download everything she sees there that is not a Beta.)

I tried letting it install the new software, then running the Windows Live uninstall from Add/Remove Programs (which allows you to check a box for the part of the program suite you want to disable). I was able to accomplish that, but it did not do anything to remove the outdated software that is triggering the FileHippo download request.

What I'm looking at is one log and 3 folders:

WindowsLiveMessenger-uccapi-0.uncapilog
in
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Tracing

MSN Messenger
in
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft

Messenger
in
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft

Messenger
in
C:\Program Files

This latter contains MSMSGSIN.EXE 4.7.0.41.

I can't find any kind of uninstall in the program folder. I opened the program, could not find a way to uninstall there either. What's going to happen if I just delete the stuff???

Any suggestions gratefully accepted!

thanks,
Janet

 

Hello, Halo!

XP SP3.

OK, so I got the ZapMessenger executable and tried to run it. Looks good. But I got an error message, even though I just upgraded to .NET Framework version 4.0 (using MG download):

ZapMessenger.exe - .NET Framework Initialization Error
Unable to find a version of the runtime to run this application.

Comodo firewall had questioned it. The first time I tried, the ZapMessenger app timed out while I was trying to read what Comodo was telling me. I double-clicked on ZapMessenger.exe a second time and quickly told Comodo this time to allow it. That's when I got the message about the .NET Framework.

What am I doing wrong?

thanks much,
Janet

 

Any version of Windows Live Messenger can generally be uninstalled from the add/remove list in control panel...you won't find an uninstall file in Program Files/Windows Live Messenger. Windows Messenger is an integral Windows component and cannot readily be removed. It can be removed however by certain tools available online similar to the one Halo suggested.. Simply do a search such as 'remove Windows Messenger' and you will discover a variety of options for a suitable removable tool that should work. If the pc has CCleaner installed it can remove most of the leftovers from the removals. However if you're skeptical of trying the removal tools I'd leave Windows Messenger on the machine but disable the browser extension add-on from the manage add-ons option in your browser, likely Internet Explorer. Again, you may safely and easily remove Windows Live Messenger from the add/remove list. You may also manually delete any remaining files left in the Documents and Settings/Application Data folders with ease. In any event if you leave Windows Messenger on the pc, be sure to configure it so it does not start up with Windows or run in the background. This will also allow Outlook Express if present to load much faster. Good luck.

 

You could download revo uninstaller and remove old messenger that way, Then download the new messenger over it.

 

Thanks, folks! I'll see what I can do with what you suggest.
Much obliged,
Janet