I've become fed up with some sort of glytch or whatever that's taken over my friend's messenger that I'm now trying to fix. I want to completely and totaly uninstall it from her computer, no traces left behind. However, it's no where to be found. It's not listed on the add/remove programs list, if I search for it, nothing comes up, it's not ANYWHERE! (That I can find). But it's still there. When I go to reinstall, it sais something along the lines of "Other (something... programs I think) already downloaded" and windows live messenger is the only one that appears... so it's still there SOMEWHERE! If anyone knows the command prompt line needed to kill this thing completely (someone told me once, which is how I fixed it on my computer) please let me know...
The OS is Windows VISTA. I would tell you the messenger version, but I can't FIND it. *grumble grumble*
Thanks guys

Under Programs & Features it shows up as "Windows Live Essentials" and you have to then untick the Messenger component.

If that doesn't show up then try using ZapMessenger to remove all traces of Windows Live Messenger, then re-download it from here and try to re-install.

Out of interest, what is the "glitch" affecting their Messenger?

It's acting crazy.... randomly closing, minamizing, or opening windows with contacts, or tottaly shutting down and restarting the messenger with out permission or prompting, and the windows jump... while you're typing to someone, the window will dissapear, and then minamize. We both had this problem, just she had it long after I did. We tried to delete every reference to the program and the program its self, but it still persists. It's there, somewhere. The only way I ended up able to fix mine, was to use a command prompt line that basically did the same thing as ZapMessenger, and then reloaded it. I was fine after that. I'm also reading some stuff about ZapMessenger and VISTA not working well together.... she's on VISTA.... hmm.
And I'm not sure where the Programs and Features is that you're talking about... under the messenger window, or the control pannel or.....? And will that allow me to finish deleting the [now] ghost program?

I've not heard anything about ZapMessenger not working on Vista, no-one's reported problems here with it.

Programs & Features is in the Control Panel, it's what replaced Add/Remove Programs in Vista.  That should allow you to find Windows Live Essentials and remove Messenger that way.

Programs should ONLY be removed via this interface or by using an "Uninstall" link in their start menu entry, just deleting files, etc won't work and will leave lots of nasty remnants of the program.

ZapMessenger is a last resort and should only be used if uninstalling via Programs & Features, or by running the Windows Live installer again and deselecting the Messenger component doesn't work

It sounds like Messenger is not the problem but someone controlling your friend's pc. Messenger won't open and close windows by itself, it's more likely the pc is infected with a virus. Whoever is controlling Messenger can also control everything else on your pc.

Do a virus scan and try to remove the virus. If that doesn't work you can always use the pc's restore CDs or format to make sure everything is clen, although that way you will also loose an files, documents, images, and installed applications (backup what you need).

I already tried the add delete programs... I think I said that... and resorted to hunting down the files and deleting them myself when that didn't work. I guess I'll try zapMessenger

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Originally posted by kristent
I already tried the add delete programs... I think I said that... and resorted to hunting down the files and deleting them myself when that didn't work. I guess I'll try zapMessenger

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