Workaround to Hide and Minimize Windows Live Messenger Icon/Button to Notification Area (System Tray) in Windows 7
When running Windows Live Messenger, aka MSN Messenger of latest version (as installed Windows Live Essentials 2009) in Windows 7, the main Messenger Contact window, display picture, and all chat or conversation windows now have full fledged button or icon on Windows Taskbar, even when minimized, instead of placing main WLM Contacts window icon in system tray or notification area.
In previous Windows Vista, XP or Server operating system, Windows Live Messenger (MSN) Messenger will load itself into notification area, also known as system tray, which located at the far right end of Taskbar beside the clock, while the rest of the windows such as IM chat dialog box have their own Taskbar button when the windows are opened.
Windows 7 has removed the notification area icon for Windows Live Messenger though, thus the main button for Messenger window now appears in Taskbar, along side with all its conversation or chat windows. The Taskbar button icon won’t go away even when Messenger window is minimized. When mouse over the WL Messenger icon on Taskbar, the thumbnail preview may show two confusing Messenger’s windows, where one is actual WLM Contacts main window, and another is display picture (DP, which does not show if user clicks on ‘X’ button to close the main window).
It’s possible to instruct Windows Live Messenger to revert back to classic style, where its main window is represented by notification tray area icon. The hack is to run Windows Live Messenger in Windows Vista compatibility mode in Windows 7 in order to move WLM icon back to system tray.
- Exit Windows Live Messenger or MSN Messenger completely (Right click on WLM button/icon on Taskbar and select Exit).
- Go to Start Menu, locate the Windows Live Messenger shortcut.
Tip: It’s also possible to deal directly with the actual WLM program, msnmgsr.exe located in %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Messenger\ folder.
- Right click on the Windows Live Messenger shortcut or executable, and select Properties.
- Go to Compatibility tab.
- Tick the check box for Run this program in compatibility mode for under “Compatibility Mode”, and then select Windows Vista from the drop down list.
- Click OK.
- Run Windows Live Messenger.
With the hack, Windows Live Messenger will minimize to system tray (notification area).
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November 7th, 2009 06:12
every hack i’ve wanted for win7 points to ur website. Thanks man!
November 6th, 2009 16:55
Thanks a lot! Köszi:D
November 6th, 2009 06:03
Thanks Man! Nice Job!
November 6th, 2009 00:47
Thanks man! Somehow I had it in the notification area at one time and then it went back and it made me rage! Thanks!
November 5th, 2009 16:46
Excellent tip. Thank you so much
November 3rd, 2009 09:52
perfeito! funciona! obrigado!
November 3rd, 2009 03:54
Can not tell you how grateful I am for this, such an annoying ‘improvement’ by Windows. Thanks very much.
November 2nd, 2009 17:15
I agree with every one else i get down on my knees and thank you with everything i have. Finally it gone at last i thank you again.
November 2nd, 2009 03:31
That’s been bugging me for months. Thank you!
November 2nd, 2009 01:15
Excellent tip, thanks
November 1st, 2009 04:12
Couldn’t have been an easier solution. Thanks!
October 31st, 2009 05:25
You are a legend!
October 30th, 2009 18:29
Thanks! Windows7 is pretty good, but this was one of the most annoying things Ive expereienced about it so far.
October 30th, 2009 13:58
Thank you!
October 30th, 2009 04:54
Thank you very much, having two icons for one program was annoying thanks to you PROBLEMO SOLVED.
October 25th, 2009 08:56
Thanks a million. That has been bothering me for the last two days!
October 25th, 2009 03:10
Crazy how much something so small like that can bother you.
October 24th, 2009 23:05
That was driving me nuts. Thanks
October 24th, 2009 03:57
GREAT! thanks… I thought the new version was really lame, I definitely prefer it in the system tray
October 23rd, 2009 19:50
Thanks a lot for the tip.
October 23rd, 2009 18:57
Thanks for a nice and simple solution to a very annoying problem!
October 23rd, 2009 04:10
Another thans, you saved me biting my nails out.
October 20th, 2009 01:54
Another one say a BIG thanks for this solution! Was driving me nuts, keeping the program off rather than having that stupid thing in the taskbar!
Many thanks!
October 18th, 2009 04:57
As some of the others have already said. Thanks a lot!
October 15th, 2009 10:24
Wow! this is what i’m looking for, thank you.