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When I try to sign in to Windows Live Messenger, it does not sign in.

Windows Live Messenger, an instant messaging service, is a popular application used by a large number of people. Occasionally, problems, including sign in failures, with Windows Live Messenger occur. Perhaps the password isn’t recognized or the software is in need of an update. Since it is possible to reset your password, you should be able to fix the problem easily enough. Sometimes, sign in errors are as simple as typing the password incorrectly. Read through the strategies listed here for help in retrieving your password, resetting the password, or cleaning up. It is also possible that Windows Live Messenger has been hacked into.

Windows Live Messenger Password Problems: Tips

Although this is a long shot, try clearing out your temporary cache, stored passwords, history, cookies, and other temporary files on your browser. If an incorrect password is stuck in the computer’s memory, this is your best chance to clear it out. Navigate to the tools section of your browser to clear the temporary cache, stored passwords, and other temporary files.

Windows Live Messenger: Windows Live ID Validation Form

It is relatively simple to reset your password using the Windows Live ID Validation Form. You’ll need the secret answer that you set up when creating the account. Use this link to access the page that you need: Windows Live ID Validation Form.

Windows Live Messenger: Retrieve Password

Quite a few programs are available that are designed to allow you to retrieve your Windows Live Messenger ID. I haven’t used them, so I cannot vouch for them. If you are interested, visit this link for a review of several of them: Password Recovery Software.

Windows Live Messenger: Reset Password

If you believe that the reason why your password isn’t working is because someone has hacked into your account, you should change the password as soon as possible. Just follow this link to access the page that you need: Account Live. Even if the password isn’t working on the login page, it is possible that it will work here so it is worth a try.

Windows Live Messenger Password Problems: Spyware

It is possible that your computer has become infected with spyware or some other form of malware. Therefore, you should run a scan with a reliable, up-to-date anti-spyware/anti-virus application such as Anti-Virus PLUS. Use caution in the future when browsing the Internet and scan your computer on a regular basis. Viruses and malware are more likely if you use instant messaging frequently or download any attachments that were sent through it.

I installed Messenger today and now I can’t access my MSN email account. Help?

Flawed or Corrupt Installations

It’s possible that you have a corrupt or flawed download that is conflicting with MSN and not allowing you access to your email account or that there is a conflict between different installations of the same software. A great place to start is by cleaning your computer of all your old MSN installations and then you can reinstall clean applications. You can use Windows Add/Remove to delete the programs and then use the Windows Uninstaller to make sure everything is gone.

Disable and Remove Windows Messenger Programs

It’s possible that you have different programs installed with similar names. There are three different programs/applications that you should either uninstall or deactivate.

To remove Windows Messenger:

1. Click Start, then Control Panel
2. Choose Add/Remove Programs
3. Select Add/Remove Windows Components
4. Scroll to the bottom and uncheck Windows Messenger
5. Click OK, and OK again to exit
6. Allow Windows Setup to run and complete the un-installation

Now you can remove MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger

1. Click Start, then Control Panel
2. Choose Add/Remove Programs
3. Scroll to find and select:
   1. MSN Messenger
   2. Windows Live Essentials - the listing for Live Messenger
4. Click Remove
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the un-installation

There is another feature called Windows Messenger Service that can be safely disabled, but probably isn’t part of your problem:

1. Right click My Computer and choose Manage
2. Click the + to open the Services and Applications section
3. Choose Services
4. Find and double click Messenger
5. A dialog box will open, beside Startup Type, choose Disable
6. Click Stop, then OK and OK again to exit

Download and Run Windows Cleanup Uninstaller

Follow this link and download and install the Windows Cleanup Uninstaller. This tool will make sure that all traces of your installations are gone. If you aren’t prompted to, reboot your computer to allow all these changes to take effect.

Run Windows Updates and Reinstall Windows Live Messenger

Now, before you reinstall Windows Live Messenger, open your web browser, like Internet Explorer and go to Windows Updates. Run the updater and make sure that your operating system is up to date for optimal performance. Once your system is ready, go to MSN and try to sign in to your Windows Live Mail account. Once you’re sure this problem is resolved, you should have the green light to download and install a new version of Windows Live Messenger. Good luck!!

How do I show what I am listening to in my MSN name?

For those who don’t use MSN, there is a feature that displays the songs you are listening to on your Windows Media Player. Apparently, it is pretty easy to turn this feature off accidentally, so I’m going to give you some step-by-step suggestions that should get you back up and running depending on the version that you are using. If you don’t have it, you need to go to the Microsoft website and download the latest version of Windows Media Player.

Enable the Features

First, check to see that this feature has been enabled. Go to the Windows Media Player and open it. Click on Tools and then on Options. Go to the Plug Ins tab. Look under the Backgrounds category and see if the MSN Messenger Music Plug In is checked.

Now get into Messenger. Click on Tools and then Options. Choose the General Category option. Make sure that “Open Messenger main window when Messenger starts” is selected.

Windows Live Messenger

You can also make this feature work in Windows Live Messenger and Windows Media Player. It will display a song or artist as a Personal Message, but both Windows Live Messenger and Windows Media player must be configured correctly in order to work properly. You also need Windows Media Player version 9 or above and be using the Windows 2000 operating system or later.

In Windows Live Messenger, go to the down arrow of the personal message box and click on “Show what I’m listening to”. You can also go to Tools and then Options. Choose the Personal Option on the left pane. Make sure “Show song information from Windows Media Player as a personal message” is checked. Now go to Windows Media Player. Press Alt+T to bring up Tools. Go to the Plug Ins sub menu and make sure there is a check mark by the Windows Live Messenger Music Plug In.

Hopefully, this information will get your information out there. If you need any more help, please let us know.

My Windows Live Messenger is not working very well. I can’t send instant messages. Can you help me?

One of the suggested solutions should fix this problem for you. Read through and try the ones that you haven’t yet used. Reboot your computer after each potential fix.

Windows Live Messenger Updates

Missing updates is often one of the reasons behind problems with instant messaging. Have you turned your update feature on to “automatic?” If not, do you visit the website in search of updates on a regular basis? If the answer to both of these questions is no, then visit the website and install any current updates that are available. Hopefully, this will resolve the issue for you.

Windows Live Messenger and Browser Updates

The next step is to update your Web browser. While some of the changes that are made might not affect your use of the instant messaging feature, it is possible that the latest change has made a difference.

Windows Live Messenger and Security Settings

It’s important to check the security settings on your Web browser whenever an update takes place. Occasionally these settings will change once an update is installed. Adjust these settings if they have been reset to a restrictive or high level.

Windows Live Messenger and Stored Internet Cache

Computer systems and Web browsing tend to become quirky at times. When this happens, it is best to clear the Internet cache, cookies, history, etc and start from scratch. You’ll need to enter the “Tools” area of your browser to do so. This step varies depending on the browser that you are using. For example, if you have Internet Explorer 7.0, go to Tools > Internet Options and click the Delete button under the Browsing History section.

Windows Live Messenger and Spyware

Spyware is notorious for upsetting the functioning of any number of applications on a computer including instant messengers. In fact, version 8.1 of Windows Live Messenger is noted for having security vulnerabilities. If that is the version you are using and if you have accepted webcam or video chats, it is even more likely that your instant messenger might be infected. If you have an anti-spyware/anti-virus application, use it to scan your computer for problems. If you haven’t updated this application for a while, you might want to do so before running it. If you don’t already have an application, Anti-Virus-PLUS is an excellent program.

Verify Windows Live ID Validation Form

Take the time to verify your Windows Live ID. It only takes a few moments and if it does the trick, it will be well worth it.

Change Windows Live Messenger Password

Problems with instant messaging through Windows Live Messenger have also been resolved simply by changing the password. If none of the above solutions have worked for you, try changing your password, reboot, and see if that works.

There are a few strategies that you can try to correct this situation. Complete one at a time until you resolve the problem. If this only happens once in a while, it could be a problem with the Internet connection. If it happens all of the time, then try these suggestions.

 Troubleshooting Connecting to MSN Messenger: Clear Stored Internet Data

One of the easiest methods for resolving problems with websites is to clear the Internet cache, history, cookies, etc. While this does not work all of the time, it is great when it does. How you go about it varies according to your web browser. Typically, you can navigate to the “Tools” section of your browser and search there to clear your private data including Internet cache, history, cookies, and passwords.

Troubleshooting Connecting to MSN Messenger: Verify Your Log in

Even if you think this next step isn’t going to help, it doesn’t take that long to complete. Visit the website for MSN and access your password so that you can make sure that you are using the correct one. You should use the Windows Live ID Validation Form to do so.

Troubleshooting Connecting to MSN Messenger: Update Your Web Browser

It is vital in this time of fast-changing technology to constantly check for updates not only for your operating system, but also for your web browser. Visit the website for whatever browser you are using and check to see if any current updates exist. Download them if you haven’t already done so. While you are at it, you can also check for updates for your operating system.

Troubleshooting Connecting to MSN Messenger: Check the Security Settings

It’s important to note that whenever you update your operating system, applications, or web browsers, you might need to change some of your settings as they might have changed during the update. Take the time to browse through your settings and make sure that you don’t have your security level set too high since this is one of the more common changes.

Troubleshooting Connecting to MSN Messenger: Scan for Viruses and Spyware

If your computer is infected with a virus or spyware, it could explain the problem connecting to MSN. Scan your computer with a reliable anti-spyware/anti-virus application. If you don’t have one, I can suggest Anti-Virus PLUS. If you do have one, update it first so that it is current.

Can you get a MSN conversation on your computer which belongs to someone else or do they have to actually use your computer to have this logged on there?

Basically, no. Unless that user is logged onto a particular computer, you can’t see their conversations on that computer. There is no option through MSN to basically “snoop” on other people’s accounts and see what they are talking about with other people on a different computer. If you have your computer set correctly, MSN will save a history of conversations that take place on that computer using that user’s password.

MSN Message History

Most people view MSN conversations like those you would have in real-time. They chat about something and then just expect that it will be tossed away when the conversation is done. You can save your MSN conversations, but the option has to be turned on before the conversation starts - you can’t save historical conversations after the fact. If you do want your computer to save your conversations, get into MSN and find the Tools tab. Go to Options and then the Messages tab. At the bottom there is a Message History - select that. Your conversations will be recorded in the directory that is listing in the box - they usually save as one file per person that you’ve been messengering with. These files will end in XML, but your computer should be able to read them.

I said above that there is no way to view the history of other people’s conversations, but that was not technically true. There is software out there on the Internet that will allow you to look at other people’s MSN and Yahoo conversations as long as they are on the same LAN network. Personally, I really hate the thought of snooping on what other people assume are private thoughts, so I’m not going to link to any of that software in this article.

MSN keeps things in their conversations as private as they can. If you have concerns about a loved one’s or friend’s conversations, perhaps confronting them directly is a better idea in any case. Remember, if MSN made it easy for you to see other people’s chats, it would be just as easy for them to see yours.