If you no longer need Windows Live Messenger, complete these steps below to uninstall it. Windows Live Messenger was discontinued in April 2013, and Microsoft now uses Skype for its messaging functions. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8, but all of these versions use the control panel to uninstall the software. You will need an administrative account and a password to uninstall this software.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
Step 1. Open the control panel
Click on the menu To start up then click on Control panel.
- In Windows 8, you can open the menu To start up by clicking on the button To start up in the lower left corner of the screen, by pressing the Windows logo key on your keyboard, or by opening Charms and clicking on To start up.
Step 2. Open the uninstallation tool
In the window of Control panel, under Programs, click on Uninstall a program.
Step 3. Find Windows Essentials
Windows Live Messenger has been bundled with Windows essentials. In the program list, scroll down to find Windows Live Essentials, and then click to select it.
Step 4. Start uninstalling Windows Live Messenger
At the top of the program list, click Uninstall / Repair. In the dialog box, click Uninstall then click on To continue.
At this point, you will be prompted for an administrator password. Type your administrator password. If you don't know your administrator password, you couldn't continue
Step 5. Complete the uninstallation of Windows Live Messenger
In the dialog box, click Windows Live Messenger to select it, and then click Uninstall.
Windows Live Messenger is uninstalled
Method 2 of 2: Windows XP
Step 1. Determine the version of your Windows XP
Click on the menu To start up, right click on My computer then click on Properties. In the window System properties, click on the tab General. In System, if it displays Service Pack 1 or 2, then Windows Live Messenger can be uninstalled.
- Windows XP does not allow uninstalling Windows Live Messenger. Service Pack 1 added a user interface to disable Windows Live Messenger, but not to uninstall it.
- Microsoft provides a detailed support document for disabling Windows Live Explorer on Windows XP without Service Pack 1.
Step 2. Disable Windows Live Messenger
Click on the menu To start up, click on Control panel then double click on Add or remove programs. In the window of Add or remove programs, click on Add / Remove Windows Components. In the list of components, click Windows Live Messenger to uncheck it. Click on Following, then click To end.
You would need administrative privileges to complete this process
Advice
- Uninstalling will not delete your Messenger account.
- You may need to uninstall other programs from Windows Live.