Windows 7: Windows Live Communications Platform Stopped Working

Just within the past few weeks I've started getting this error occasionally. I've noticed that when it occurs the personal profile picture that usually shows when I am signed it for WL Mail or WL Photo Gallery is no longer displayed. I appear to be still signed in though.

This is a reach but I think it might be related: I think it started after I installed Skype and uninstalled Messenger. I am not a Skype user but I got an announcement from Microsoft saying they would be discontinuing Messenger in lieu of Skype so I followed the link to install Skype. I can't remember if it told me to uninstall Messenger or if I just did it on my own but, at any rate, if they are discontinuing it then there shouldn't be any reason to keep it installed. As I said, this is just a WAG on my part.

Google finds lots of occurrences of this error and a few on them even reference Messenger but most all of them go back 3-4 years with the most recent ones referencing Vista and the older ones XP. I didn't find any really recent ones or any for Windows 7.

Before I try to unwind Skype and reinstall WL Messenger, does anyone know an easier way to get rid of the error causing the communications platform to stop?

Thanks in advance,