Windows Live Messenger Will Not Open

If this were a standing problem, we'd all be having the same issue, and it would be all over the net... Are you using the beta release?

Tews said:

If this were a standing problem, we'd all be having the same issue, and it would be all over the net... Are you using the beta release?

Tews,
Does the OP need to do a re-install or repair of 7 or IE8?
I am leaving for the evening. TIA M8

Lol... I was responding to Shelly748 ... I forgot to put his rant in quotes..

I really dont think that this is an IE problem, no..

Hello !

Go to Start | Event Viewer | Windows Logs | Application and there you would find errors post us the error maybe we'll find a clue. I believe it could be something in OS environment that is causing this. Windows has stopped working is a common message with tons of reasons.

- Captain

Hello,



1. Remove Windows Live Messenger from the computer.

1.a. Beside the time and date of your computer, right-click the Windows Live Messenger icon, and then click Exit.



1.b. Click Start, type programs and features in the Start Search box, and then click Programs and Features in the Programs list.






1.c. In the list of currently installed programs, select Windows Live Messenger or Windows Live Essentials, and then click Uninstall.






1.d. If you are prompted to confirm that you want to remove the program, click Yes. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.

2. Remove the temporary files and folders from the computer.

2.a. Click Start, type cleanmgr in the text box, and then press ENTER.




2.b. In the Disk Cleanup Options window, click My Files only.



2.c. On the Disk Cleanup tab, make sure that only the following options are selected:
- Downloaded Program Files
- Temporary Internet Files
- Temporary files
- Hibernation File Cleaner
- Setup Log Files
- Recycle Bin
- Thumbnails




2.d. Confirm deletion of files, and then run the Disk Cleanup utility.
2.e. If you encounter problems removing the temporary files and folders, proceed to the next steps.

3. Delete Windows Live Messenger related cache files.

3.a. Change the Windows Explorer settings.
3.a.i. Right click Start (Window icon), and then click Explore to open Windows Explorer.
3.a.ii. On the Organize menu, click Folder and Search Options.
3.a.iii. Click the View tab.
3.a.iv. In the Advanced settings list, select Show hidden files and folders under Hidden Files and Folders.
3.a.v. Clear the Hide extensions for known file types check box.
3.a.vi. Click OK to close the Folder Options window.





3.b. The following commands delete files that are used when you sign in and files that are related to the Contacts Cache folders.
3.b.i. Click Start, copy and paste this message in the Start Search box %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\ and then press Enter. Delete the Windows Live Contacts folder.
3.b.ii. Click Start, copy and paste this message in the Start Search box %userprofile%\ and the press Enter. Delete the Contacts folder.

4. Delete the Windows Live Messenger-associated registry keys.

IMPORTANT: The following steps contain information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up, and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up the Windows Registry please refer to this article.
For information how to restore, and edit the registry, visit the following website:
Windows registry information for advanced users
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
4.a. Click Start, type CMD in the Start Search box and then press ENTER to open the command window.






4.b. Copy and paste the following commands exactly as they appear below. Press ENTER after typing each command to execute the command.
Note: In some case you may encounter the error that the key does not exist, move to the next command and execute it.
REG DELETE "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live\Messenger' /f
REG DELETE HKLM\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger /f
REG DELETE HKCU\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger /f
REG DELETE "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows Live\Communications Clients\Shared" /f
REG DELETE HKCU\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL /f

5. Restart the computer.



Source: Clean Installation of Windows Live Messenger – Windows Vista - Windows Live


Hope this helps,
Captain