Windows 7 - Strange messenger startup problem

So this morning the last thing I done was shut down the computer. It said it had 6 updates to install before shut down and that was fine. I started it up this afternoon and everything was ok. I started MSN messenger and then went into my emails via messanger. I checked them (never clicked on any links or anything like that and then logged out. When I log out it defaults to MSN UK through IE8. There was a story at the bottom about mothers day. It's in life and style column entitled "Make your mum's day meaningful this year with these great items". Then when I click on this and then scroll through the images messenger tries to start up on its own.

In fact when I click on any story that has a story where it has say 10 images and then I have to click through "view first image", "view second image" etc messanger starts on its own through msn uk via IE8. Anyone else seen this issue or having this problem?

I am running malware bytes and eset at the moment in case something is going on.

Still haven't found a solution to the problem. I have uninstalled and reinstalled messenger and it still happens. Every time I click on a link on msn uk when it says "view first image" etc it starts messenger. Any body any ideas?

I figured out what the problem was and wanted to share this with anyone who may have the same problem. One of the windows live plugins in IE8 was causing it. I disabled them (not sign in helper) and this resolved the issue. Hope this helps.