Right, basically, there's this random person who seems to send me messages sometimes when I sign in.  Like this.



They are not on my contact list, so I cannot block them.  And I don't want to add them, do I?  All I can do is report as compromised, which isn't what I want to do here.  So what is the best way of "blocking" them (in quotes, since blocking doesn't really do what it used to any more...)?

I'm on WLM 2011...

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Originally posted by whiz
I'm on WLM 2011...

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Just redirects to http://profile.live.com/privacy.  I don't see an option for privacy settings in Messenger, but everything is set to friends only (apart from friend invites, which is friends of friends).  And this person definitely isn't a friend (not a contact, and haven't previously allowed them).

So on the advanced portion of the privacy page, there is nothing in "Who can contact me" set to Everyone?

Beyond that I have no idea, I've never used 2011, and hoped WLM hasn't turned into complete uselessness, but it seems I'm wrong.

Sorry

I have friend/group invites on friends of friends, and comments set to friends only.  That's all for the contact section.

This seems a bit of a loophole in the privacy settings... 

See, I can't even add them to Messenger and then block them without having to send them an invite first.

Sorry to drag up an old thread - but has anyone solved this problem yet in WLM 11?

I have been into my privacy settings and set it to Private, yet it is still happening.  After the person has messaged me they appear offline so I can't add them to my contacts and then right click them and appear offline/block them.

I have also run full virus scan via Kaspersky and Malwarebytes - no threats.

Years ago, MSN Messenger had a facility to manually block email addresses (an "allow list" and a "block list"). 

Why does Microsoft insist on making each version of Messenger slightly worse than the last?  Its bizarre!

I too have registered just to add further weight and attention to this issue. I only learned yesterday that the block feature has been removed in place of another system on the who can msg you screen consisting of a load of settings and bars you can alter.

I've been getting a very similar bot with almost identical messages at random over the last few days. After switching the settings to it's maximum security i.e. Private only, the bot has still managed to find it's way to message me.

I made the mistake of replying to this bot for the humerous crack of it about a week ago, where usually i'd just block and remove instantly. I think this was a mistake really as it must have triggered it into think i've taken the bait, therefore won't leave me alone.

So as of the moment I cannot see a way around this at all.

Ok I may have fixed my problem with this. Despite blocking the contact then removing from my phone version of MSN, I don't think it actually removed the name from my list of contacts.

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The feature of blocking contacts under Windows Live Messenger has now been redesigned with the introduction of Windows Live Messenger 2011. The feature used to be available at Messenger Options > Privacy and is now available at http://contacts.live.com

In order to delete and block contacts follow the instructions below:

a. Visit http://contacts.live.com, then login using the Email Address and Password you use to access Windows Live Messenger
b. On the left pane of the Contacts page, under All Contacts, click on Messenger
c. Search for the contact you would like to delete and block
d. Once you have found the contact you would like to block click the contact name

This will take you to the contact details menu. Under this section:

e. Click Manage and then select the option Remove as a friend

By doing this you have just blocked a contact from Messenger. In order to have the contact deleted from your contacts list:

f. Hover the pointer over Messenger on the very top of the page and select the option Contacts
g. Check the box next the contact you want to delete and then press Delete button on the menu bar just above

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Hi,

Thanks for the post - sorry it didnt work for you.  I think I may have found a fix. I posted my problem on the Windows Live message boards and got two generic replies about running a virus scan (which of course turned up no problems!) and then I finally got a reply from someone who read my posts properly and I have been using Messenger for several hours without any spam messages now, fingers crossed it worked:

Here's the post:

"We have removed this feature [blocking contacts] and it was replaced with "appear offline". Yet many of our customers are reporting that some of the instant messages can't be blocked because the sender is not in their contact list. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. I understand how disappointing when a feature in an application was removed or replaced. If you wish to include it again in the next update of Windows Live Messenger, please visit http://feedback.live.com and send it as a feature request.

Since all the prevention actions didn't work, I advise you to enable the feature to only allow people in your contacts to be able to see your status and send you messages, these options are only available on Windows Live Messenger version 2009 and not in version 2011. If you are determined to stop these instant messages from coming to your Messenger, you can do the following instructions. However this action needs installation of Windows Live Messenger lower version which we less advise:

1. Uninstall Windows Live Essentials programs that are currently installed on your computer. Follow the instructions posted on this solution article.

Delete the Windows Live folder if available from the following locations.
    C:\Program Files -and- C:\Program Files\Common files

2. Download and then install Windows Live Essentials 2009, you can download the installer here.

After installing the version 2009, try to change this option by following the steps below:

1. Sign in to your Windows Live Messenger.
2. Press Alt + T, then click on Options....
3. Select the Privacy tab, tick the Only people on my Allow list can see my status and send me messages
4. Double check if this contact is in your allow list, if so then put it in your block list
5. Then click on Apply and then OK

We currently don't have this option in version 2011. However, I will forward this as a suggestion over to our product team for considerations in a future release.

Regards,

Ironically in a forum I use more frequently someone suggested going back to MSN 2009 as well. I might try that but oddly I have had MSN on for a while today and haven't recieved a single spam message from that bot. If it comes back and persists then i'll switch to the older version.

Well a day or so on, I can say its worked for me

I always thought the 2011 version was horrible anyway, so quite happy back in 2009. In fact I would have stuck with it longer if it wasnt for the annoying "you must upgrade now" messages, but with this particular version it thinks Im on Windows XP (im actually on Windows 7) so it doesn't seem to nag.

[OFF TOPIC]

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Originally posted by russd1978
In fact I would have stuck with it longer if it wasnt for the annoying "you must upgrade now" messages, but with this particular version it thinks Im on Windows XP (im actually on Windows 7) so it doesn't seem to nag.

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