Vista - Help with uninstalling Windows Live Messenger 9

I made myself the owner and gave myself full control but it is still saying i need permission. I am trying to delete the Windows Live Messenger 9 files so that i can install the latest version.

Please help, this is really getting me very annoyed, it shouldn't be so hard to uninstall a simple program (there is no uninstall in the add/remove programs) and so i have resorted to deleting the files.

Please help me with this.

Hello Rurik,

You should be able to install the new version right on top of the old one. During installation of the new Messenger, it will detect the old version and show it as to be upgraded.

In Programs and Features, you would click on Windows Live Essentials and select the Windows Live programs you wish to uninstall. You should never try manually deleting file if it can be helped. It's almost impossible to know where every file was installed at on your computer that belonged to the program.

If you can no longer use the uninstall do to you manually deleting files, then try installing the new version anyway to see if it can still replace the old one. If not, then you will need to reinstall the old version first, then either uninstall it properly or just install the new version to upgrade it automatically.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Ok i will try the Windows Live Essentials, I am using vista and vista doesnt like the windows live setup program so i have to install using .msi files. The new .msi file says that it cant be used with an older version already on my computer, very frustrating.

Update: I tried using windows live essential but all that happens is the UAC popup and then nothing.

Help will be much apprieciated

Rurik,

Try a System Restore using a restore point dated before you started manually deleting these file, then see if you can select "Windows Live Essentials" in Programs & Features to uninstall it.

I did a System Restore before i read this and am happy to say that my files are back. I managed to uninstall and am going to get the new msn shortly.

On another note, after i system restored, my internet went strange. This is only on my laptop which i restored, but i can access msn and my online games, but no webpages will oad. any ideas what might fix this problem?

That is strange. You might reset Internet Explorer to see if that can help. It could be an add-on you had installed when that restore point was created.

I will try this but it isnt just in IE, its in Mozilla and Google Chrome aswell, so I am really not sure what is wrong with it, i will keep trying till it works again though.

Thanks for your help so far,

James

Ok, well i feel like an idiot.

I had lost some files from Windows Live OneCare Family Safety, and it was stopping me from accessing websites.

I just uninstalled the program and now it works perfectly, thanks anyway for trying to help me.

James

You're welcome James. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out.