Ed Bott is probably my favorite person to read when it comes to covering Windows and other Microsoft software. Today I noticed a little post he had regarding a way to fix Windows Live Messenger in case you find yourself unable to log in. I didn't think much of it, until my wife asked me why she hadn't been able to log in to her messenger for a few days. I quickly went back and read Ed's tip, then logged in remotely to her machine and deleted the registry key mentioned, and voila - she's back online. So if you're having problems with your Messenger, the registry key you want to delete is:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger\Policies
Give it a shot - it might well fix your problem!
Thanks, Ed.














Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-18-2006 @ 5:47PM
Øystein said...
Tried it yesterday.It works, but remember - every setting will be lost.
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10-18-2006 @ 6:57PM
Isaac said...
Thankyou so much for this! Found lots of other fixes that didn't work online, and this one fixed it instantly!
*does the "I can talk to people for free again" dance*
Not that Mercury doesn't work... it just sucks... only mildly, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
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10-18-2006 @ 7:24PM
smj276 said...
I couldn't find the registry key on my machineand still the problem exists
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10-19-2006 @ 3:32AM
Shane said...
Thank you so much! I deleted the registry value and it works now! Mercury just wasn't cutting it! Thank you thank you
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10-19-2006 @ 4:08AM
Mosh said...
This problem has been bugging the hell out of me lately. Thanks heaps!
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10-19-2006 @ 1:44PM
Hello1024 said...
Worked for me. The only data in that registry key is the url for live messenger to download your contacts list from. Visiting that url in IE gives a logon box, and then a "you must have a hotmail email address" error. I suspect that a lot of people who have this problem use a non-hotmail passport account, and a change of server config at microsofts end locked us out.
Deleting that registry key DOES NOT delete your msn settings - all mine are intact.
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10-20-2006 @ 1:15PM
Mark B said...
This is the first thing I have been able to find that actually fixed this problem. It fixed it for me and another person in the office.
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10-21-2006 @ 1:03PM
Ben Freeman said...
THANK YOU! This FINALLY fixed my login problem. I was ready just to give up on messenger live. thanks again
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10-21-2006 @ 1:03PM
Annette Kuijpers said...
Thank you very much!!!
I was getting desperate, my son even scanned the computer for problems, but at last he found this site and came to my rescue!! Thanks sooooo much!!!
Annette Kuijpers
The Netherlands
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10-22-2006 @ 12:24AM
Alex said...
I´m having this problem on 55-60 computers here @ my work. The other half , is having this msn problem on 7.5 and msn 8 live. I cant find this registry key and no reported fixes. Every time i try to punch in the e-mail addresses, its very slow inputing the email i type(its like the msn is working very hard).
Anyone have any suggestions for me ?
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10-22-2006 @ 12:24AM
Moomin said...
Thanks a million - it really works! I was almost on the verge of switching to another IM system.
Strange problem. Is it because of a spyware attack?
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10-22-2006 @ 12:24AM
Jack said...
I have to thank you a lot too. I don't used a hotmail address, and even though I sucspect signed on (logged me off elsewhere), my contact list wasn't displaying and it kept on loading. This is awesome, thank you so much.
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10-26-2006 @ 2:01PM
Simon said...
Awesome, worked for me. Thanks alot
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10-28-2006 @ 12:16AM
Karsten said...
Yup, that one did it for me too. Tried installing, uninstalling beta serch, MSN help... nothing. Google finaly got me here and low and behold... Thanks!
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10-30-2006 @ 1:27PM
Justin said...
My Windows Live Messenger seemed to have been lagging when trying to add contacts, so I did this and surprisingly it helped. It was backlogged or something it seems.
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11-03-2006 @ 4:48PM
Domo said...
After reading soo many different blogs and sites which all offered their own different solutions none worked for me until this one so THANKS Janson and Ed.
D.
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11-05-2006 @ 5:14PM
Greebo said...
Thankyou for this, I was unable to add any new contacts in Windows Live Messenger until deleting that registry key.
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11-09-2006 @ 4:01AM
bj said...
It says when i try to sign in "Signing into msn messenger failed because the service is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."
What does this mean? I've tried to sign in for weeks and it still doesnt work, i've reinstalled it about 5 times and its not the firewall blocking it.
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11-10-2006 @ 12:56PM
phil said...
it works.
great. thanks.
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11-10-2006 @ 7:40PM
Harv said...
Thanks for the tip to delete the registry key. Solved the problem that I spent hours trying to fix. Really appreciate the help!
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