How to Uninstall Windows Live Messenger

Last Updated: June 1, 2021

If you no longer need Windows Live Messenger, complete these steps to uninstall it. Windows Live Messenger was discontinued in April 2013, and Microsoft now uses Skype for its messaging functions.^{[1]
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Research source} The steps are slightly different for Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8, but all of these versions use the Control Panel to uninstall software. You may need an administrative account and password to uninstall this software.^{[2]
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Research source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8

1
Open the Control Panel. Click the Start menu, and then click Control Panel.
- On Windows 8, you can open the Start menu by clicking the Start button in the lower-left corner of the screen, pressing the Windows logo key on your keyboard, or opening charms and then clicking start.
2
Open the uninstall tool. In the Control Panel window, under Programs, click Uninstall a program.

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3
Locate Windows Essentials. Windows Live Messenger was bundled together with Windows essentials. In the program list, scroll down to find Windows Live Essentials, and then click to select it.
4
Start uninstalling Windows Live Messenger. At the top of the program list, click Uninstall/Change. In the dialog box, click Uninstall, and then click Continue.
- At this point, you may be prompted for an admin password. Type your admin password to continue. If you don’t know your admin password, you won’t be able to continue.
5
Finish uninstalling 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

Method 2 of 2:

Windows XP

1
Determine your version of Windows XP. Click the Start menu, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. In the System Properties window, click the General tab. Under System, if it says Service Pack 1 or 2, then Windows Live Messenger can be uninstalled.
- Windows XP did not permit Windows Live Messenger to be uninstalled.^{[3]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Microsoft Support
  Technical support and product information from Microsoft.
  Go to source} Service Pack 1 added a user interface for disabling Windows Live Messenger, but not uninstalling it.
- Microsoft provides a detailed support document for disabling Windows Live Explorer on Windows XP without Service Pack 1.^{[4]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Microsoft Support
  Technical support and product information from Microsoft.
  Go to source}
2
Disable Windows Live Messenger. Click the Start menu, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove Programs. In the Add or Remove Programs window, click Add/Remove Windows Components. In the Components list, click Windows Live Messenger to uncheck it. Click Next, and then click Finish.
- You will need administrative privileges to complete this process.