Windows Live Messenger - Taskbar or Notification Icon

How to Have Windows Live Messenger with a Windows 7 Taskbar or Tray Icon​

   Information

This will show you how to have the Windows Live Messenger open window icon either as a Windows 7 taskbar icon or as a notification area tray icon.

By default, Windows Live Messenger uses a taskbar icon in Windows 7.

   Tip

You can get information on how to download the latest version of Windows Live Messenger here.

EXAMPLE: Windows Live Messenger taskbar icon

EXAMPLE: Windows Live Messenger notification area tray icon
NOTE: This is after you close (red x) the Windows Live Messenger window to minimize it to the taskbar notification area.

Here's How:
1. If open, close and exit Windows Live Messenger.

2. Right click on the Windows Live Messenger shortcut and click on Properties.

NOTE: If you do not have a shortcut, you can also right click on Windows Live Messenger's exe file below.

• In a 64-bit Windows 7:
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe file.
• In a 32-bit Windows 7:
  • C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe file.

3. For Windows Live Messenger to Minimize to a System Tray Icon
NOTE: Whenever you open Windows Live Messenger it will have a icon on the taskbar until you close it again. Closing WLM doesn't exit you out of WLM, but just minimizes WLM to the system tray and removes the taskbar icon.

A) Under the Compatibilty tab, check the Run this program in compatibility mode for box and select Windows Vista. (See screenshot below)

B) Go to step 5.
4. For Windows Live Messenger to Use a Taskbar Icon
A) Under the Compatibilty tab, uncheck the Run this program in compatibility mode for box. (See screenshot below)

5. Click on OK. (See screenshot above or below step 3A)

6. Open Windows Live Messenger to see it's icon location now.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Manually Uninstall Windows Live Messenger
• How to Change to Full or Compact View in Windows Live Messenger 2011
• How to Change the Default Sounds in Windows Live Messenger
• How to Minimize Windows Live Mail to the System Tray in Windows 7

 

[Timewarpone]

Thanks for the info but when I went to the link you posted for Live Messenger 8.1 I tried to download the program but all I got was "UNABLE TO FIND PAGE"

Vince

Thinking back, I am almost sure it was closed. But maybe not. If I do it again should I choose Vista, Vista Service Pack 1 or Vista Service Pack 2 under compatability mode?? Or does it matter?? I will make a note of making sure it is "off"

 

[Brink]

Hello Timewarpone, and welcome to Seven Forums.

The link for Windows Live Messenger is here: Messenger - Windows Live

You would select Windows Vista (step 3) in Compatibility Mode.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Timewarpone]

I went to the Live Messenger Site and tried downloading it but the version I already have on my computer is the latest version. I will try compatability mode Vista Service pack 3 and I will make sure messenger is off and I set a restore point to be sure.

Thanks,
Vince

 

[Timewarpone]

First off, I misread the post about downloading messenger 8.1 I didn't realize that 8.1 was an older version of messenger. Second, I closed messenger live before using the compatibility mode (Vista Service Pack 3) and it worked fine this time. I like this a lot better than before.

Thanks,
Vince

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Vince. I'm happy to hear that you got the new one installed and like it.

 

[pokka]

Thank you very much.
The solution work for me.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Pokka.

 

[Timewarpone]

There seems to be something going on with live messenger. After I ran it in Vista Compatability mode it showed up it the taskbar next to the clock after I booted up my computer, like I wanted. This was several weeks ago. About 10 days to 2 weeks ago it stopped showing up in the taskbar. I now have to go to all programs and click on the live messenger icon then it appears. I ran MSCONFIG and clicked on startup and live messenger was checked. Why doesn't live messenger appear in the taskbar after I boot up my computer??

 

[Brink]

Hello Timewarpone,

I'm not sure why. You might see if uninstalling and reinstalling WLM may help.

 

[Timewarpone]

I will try that. How about anything in the options, sign-in section I should consider??

 

[Brink]

I would't think so, but here's a screenshot of what I use if it can help.

 

[Timewarpone]

Thanks for the screen shot. I have checked the 1st, 3rd and 5th box. I tried your configuration but it not work. Thanks anyway.

 

[Brink]

No problem. You might see if unsetting and resetting compatibility mode after a restart for each may help.

 

[chkoupi]

good thanks

 

[blumonde]

Check mark the box "Run as Administrator" in properties as well. That might help.

 

[awjm]

So whats the disadvantage of doing this ??

 

[Brink]

Hello Awjm,

None. It's just a matter of personal preferrance if you wanted a notification tray icon or not for Windows Live Messenger.

 

[awjm]

Hello Awjm,

None. It's just a matter of personal preferrance if you wanted a notification tray icon or not for Windows Live Messenger.

Yeah but running in compatibility mode must have some negative effect, it would be much better if the software itself addressed the issue which i am sure they will .... also lets say it's running in vista mode and an update is release, will the update install and revert back to running in true windows 7 ?

 

[Brink]

Awjm,

There have been no bad side effects of using compatibility mode reported by anyone that I know of so far that hasn't turned out to be caused by something else unrelated.

I suppose that it depends on what is updated and if you have to uninstall the old version to install the new one or not. We shall see when the next update arrives.

 

[awjm]

aiigt kool, thanks for the info , i will wait on MS update .. when is the new messenger set to release ?

All they need to do really is add an option to allow users to separate individual convos on the task bar, so they would still be nice and neat and square, we see the flash and one click to convo .. at times i have 8-9 msn convos and clicking the main window then searching for the actual convo window can be a task, more so when many messages are waiting... when msn fixes this, windows 7 will be flawless