Avoid Windows Live Messenger 2011

Windows Live Messenger and Essentials 2011 is not for everyone. Many people don't like the ribbon in Windows Live Mail and Photo Gallery. The Messenger 2011 is not very user friendly so many people have stayed with Windows Live Messenger and Essentials 2009 instead. Now Microsoft is forcing the update on all Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. You launch your Windows Live Messenger 2009 and you got this message, telling you to upgrade to 2011 version. Now you find it won't let you log into Messenger until you upgrade. However, there is a way to carry on using Windows Live Messenger 2009, and for new users to be able to use it without having to upgrade to the 2011 version. Here is how to avoid Windows Live Messenger 2011.146

1. Download Windows Live Essentials 2009 if you have not already done so.
2. If you have Windows Live Essentials 2011 already on your computer, you first need to uninstall it. This is because Windows Live Essentials 2009 will not install if there is a newer version of Windows Live Essentials on your computer.
3. You need to remove all of the other Windows Live Essentials 2011, Photo Gallery 2011, Mail 2011 and others as well, before you can install the 2009 version.
4. When you first install Windows Live Messenger 2009, it will open for the first time. This is because it is set by default to run when Windows starts. You will get a message telling you to upgrade. Ignore this message, and click on 'Options' in Messenger, and un-tick where it says 'start with Windows'.
5. Now close Messenger.
6. Now you need to change the program compatibility settings to run in compatibility mode for Windows XP.
7. To do this go to your Programs folder on C/Drive and then go into your Windows Live folder. Look for the 'Messenger exe'. You can also find it in your start menu.
8. Right click on the 'Messenger exe' and select 'properties'.
9. Now you need to change compatibility settings to Windows XP
10. To do, this look for the compatibility settings and set it to run in compatibility mode for Windows XP service Pack 3, or Windows XP. Now save the settings
11. You will now be able to use Windows Live Messenger 2009 again and you will be able to log into Messenger 2009. You will no longer get any more annoying messages telling you to upgrade.