Shoutbox

Hi, is it possible to install and  have *both* instances of WLM 2009 and 2011 on a PC? Or is there no way to avoid 2011 replacing version 2009 when installing?

Not unless you use a Virtual Box or a sandbox.

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Originally posted by Chrissy
Not unless you use a Virtual Box or a sandbox.

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It has always been possible to install two versions of Messenger. That hasn't changed now.

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Originally posted by Sonny
Hi, is it possible to install and  have *both* instances of WLM 2009 and 2011 on a PC? Or is there no way to avoid 2011 replacing version 2009 when installing?

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Sure...

You first need to install the lower version (in this case WLM 2009). After that you make a copy of the complete installation directoy and all its subdirectories (and make sure you copy everything, including hidden files etc if any).

Then you install the later version (in this case WLM 2011), so the previous (old) version gets 'updated' in its original installation directory.
From now on you can use the new version (from the original installation directory) and the old version (from the copied directory).

But note that this method is not officially supported and it could lead to some troubles. And also note that in order to update the oldest version (eg: a new build of WLM 2009) you first need to completely uninstall the newer version (WLM 2011) first and then repeat the whole process again like described above.

Thank you for the instructions CookieRevised.

I had updated my 2009 when 2011 came out and hated it so I went straight back to 2009. I have since found some reasons for using 2011 at times and wanted to find out if it was possible to have both on my computer and choose which one I want to use on a given day. Do I need to give the copied 2009 folder a different name?

Oh, and can I choose to have 2009 open by default when my computer boots? Or will 2011 load since it is the newer version?

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Originally posted by Sonny
Do I need to give the copied 2009 folder a different name?

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yes, otherwise it isn't a copied folder

Copy the original folder (%ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Messenger) to %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\WLM2009 for example (or any name you like for that matter, as long as it isn't named like the original name).

After installing WLM 2011 again, you start WLM 2011 from within %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Messenger and WLM 2009 from within %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\WLM2009.
If you also want to have a shortcut in your start menu to WLM 2009, you will need to make your own shortcut to msnmsgr.exe inside the WLM2009 directory of course.

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Originally posted by Sonny
Oh, and can I choose to have 2009 open by default when my computer boots? Or will 2011 load since it is the newer version?

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Yes you can.

All you need to do is add or alter the proper registry value in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run registry key.

1) Open your registry editor (Win > Run... > regedit)

2) Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

3) Make a new string key (REG_SZ) and name it STARTWLM for example.
   Do not name it like the original (MSNMSGR). If you do that, Messenger will attempt to 'fix' the key and overwrite it again the next time you start Messenger.

4) As value add the proper path to the version you want to run. eg:
   "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\WLM2009\msnmsgr.exe" /background
   mind the quotes!

5) Make sure that the option in Messenger to run Messenger on Windows startup is turned off!
   If you don't turn this off, Messenger will add another key in the RUN key. And depending on the so called 'polygamy settings' in Messenger Plus! for example you would end up running two Messengers.

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
Sure...

You first need to install the lower version (in this case WLM 2009). After that you make a copy of the complete installation directoy and all its subdirectories (and make sure you copy everything, including hidden files etc if any).

Then you install the later version (in this case WLM 2011), so the previous (old) version gets 'updated' in its original installation directory.
From now on you can use the new version (from the original installation directory) and the old version (from the copied directory).

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Did you try this method?

I don't think it works, because the process msnmsgr.exe in both versions 2009 and 2011 uses another process called "wlcomm.exe" (you can find it in C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Contacts).

If you rename the WLM 2009 installation directory and install WLM 2011, wlcomm.exe will be upgraded and will not work with the old version (WLM 2009).

It's also useless rename C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Contacts before upgrading, because msnmsgr.exe looks for wlcomm.exe in that directory.

The trick you explained worked for WLM 2008 and 2009 versions, because in WLM 2008 there was no wlcomm.exe .

Hmmm, ok I have not tried the above instructions as yet. Is there anyway around it, Ugosan and CookieRevised?

I can suggest you to use a standalone-portable version of WLM 2009: you can find it here (in English only).