Recently there has been an upsurge of problems regarding Windows Live Messenger “forgetting” Windows Live IDs after a Windows restart.  Although there are some known policies in Windows which can cause this to occur, after many hours of testing and research, the latest culprit appears to be the Yahoo Toolbar.

Uninstalling the toolbar will not address the problem as its installer causes damage to your Windows user profile’s registry.  To correct all possible causes of this problem, I have created Make Messenger Remember.

How to use
Just download the zip for Make Messenger Remember and run the executable contained inside.  Note: Make Messenger Remember will automatically restart Windows after completing its work, so be sure to close and save any data prior to beginning the process.

Choose the Fix button for Make Messenger Remember to make the necessary fixes and restart Windows.  After Windows starts again, start Messenger if its not set to automatically do so already, and verify that your Live ID and/or password have returned.  In some cases you may have to sign in manually at least more one time.

Requirements:
Windows XP/Vista
.NET Framework 2.0 or higher

Download Make Messenger Remember

Version history:
7/1/2009  1.0  Initial Release

Special thanks to MersauX, ilyaz and FYu for both testing and providing me the necessary data to create a fix to this problem.

Prior to Windows Live Messenger 2009, when you clicked the Mail button in Messenger, Internet Explorer would automatically pop up and log you into Hotmail regardless of your default browser.  Beginning with Windows Live Messenger 2009, clicking the Mail button will open Hotmail in your default browser and if that is not Internet Explorer, it will not provide the automatic log-on into Hotmail*.

So, I created Hotmail in IE, which will set allow you to continue to use your default browser in Windows and other applications (including links in Messenger conversations), but use Internet Explorer for Messenger’s Hotmail features. 

How to use
Hotmail in IE does not require installation.  Just download the executable and run it directly.  You will be shown the following:
To set Internet Explorer to open when you click the Mail button in Messenger, choose the Internet Explorer button.  Should you wish to set it back, choose Default Web Browser.  Once you have made your choice, choose Done and no further changes should be needed.

The next time you start your normal default browser, you may receive a prompt regarding its default status.  Choose No to this prompt and elect to not receive these notifications to avoid needing to set the mail button handler again.

Requirements
Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
Both 32-bit or 64-bit supported
A Windows Live ID that supports Hotmail (such as @live.com, @hotmail.com, etc.)

Hotmail in IE is written in Visual C++ 2008

Download Hotmail in IE

Version history:
6/8/2009  1.0  Initial Release

* The official reasoning for the inability of Messenger to log-in you in automatically is for security reasons.  Messenger has no direct secure route to sign you into Windows Live ID in other browsers as it does with Internet Explorer.

Like a lot of people reading this, I’ve invested in various Microsoft headsets and webcams (some pretty good, some disappointing) but one thing in common with all of them is that they have a Windows Live Call button.

Out of the box and the software installed, pressing the button with bring up Windows Live Messenger’s contact list so you can start a call with your contacts.  Which is great for some people, but for me, the vast majority of my calls are made and received on Skype nowadays and the button has remained unused.

Introducing Skype Call Button
So, I created Skype Call Button.  Skype Call Button remaps the Windows Live Call button to operate with Skype or any other application you choose.  Additionally, when you receive a call in Skype, you can answer the call by just pressing the button.  I’ve been testing this functionality for over a month now, and being able just to throw my headset on and press the button to answer a call has vastly made life easier.

Installation
Click the download link below and run the executable to begin the installation.  The setup wizard will guide you through the necessary steps to install Skype Call Button.  After installation is complete, you will be prompted to unplug and plug your headset or webcam back in.  Alternatively if that isn’t possible, you can just reboot your computer or just continue on.  If you choose to just continue, both Messenger and Skype will appear when you press the button until you restart.  Finally, you will then need to authorize Skype Call Button to be used in your Skype client by opening up the main Skype window and choosing the Allow access button or in previous versions, choose Allow this program to use Skype radio button and choose OK.  This only needs to be done once.

Using and options
Skype Call Button will appear in the notification area and by default will automatically start up with your computer to monitor calls.  To access the options, just double-click on the icon. 

You can configure what Skype Call Button does when you press the button normally and what happens when you press the button during an incoming call.  Skype Call Button supports Skype, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Call, and Office Communicator and you can switch the button to work in another application when you choose to.

Additionally, if you choose to not show the notification area icon, you can still access the options by choosing Skype Call Button from the Windows start menu.

Requirements
Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
Both 32-bit or 64-bit supported
.NET Framework 2.0 or higher (checked during setup)
At least Lifechat 1.3 or Lifecam 2.0 (checked during setup)
Skype

Download Skype Call Button

Version history:
6/2/2009  1.0.0.0  Initial Release

Windows Live Messenger 2009 has a number of available parameters you can use to start actions within Messenger without opening it up.  You can use these for a variety of purposes, like scripts, hotkey/macro applications and anywhere else where you can start a program.

You can use several at once, the actions will be executed in order.

Using parameters
If you’re not familiar with adding parameters, to use these you’ll need to append the parameter to the end of starting the Messenger executable.  For example, pop open the Run dialog by pressing the Windows key and R (or click Start then Run on XP, or in Vista/7 click Start and type in the search field at the bottom).

Then type msnmsgr /busy and click OK.

Now your status will switch to Busy within a few seconds.

Try again with msnmsgr /email and you’ll see your Windows Live Hotmail inbox open.  For fun, try msnmsgr /away /profile /sendim and you’ll see Messenger set you to away, then open up your Windows Live ID profile, and finally the “Send an instant message” window will appear.

Note that in other applications (say a macro program or a script), you’ll need to specify the full path to the Messenger executable, which will be \Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe (Program Files (x86) on 64-bit Windows).

Over the past 24-hours or so, it appears the Messenger servers have become desynchronized (or otherwise broken) and among other problems, are not reporting status information correctly.  So you’ll see contacts with a display name of just their e-mail address, contacts online when they’re not, contacts offline when they’re not, and problems messaging between these contacts.

Normally these problems get resolved pretty quickly and signing out/sign in fixes the problem.  Unfortunately In this case, it hasn’t proven to be very effective and these issues have been persisting.

Hopefully it will be resolved soon.

UPDATE: Everything seems back to normal now.

It took much longer than I personally expected, but the automatic Photo Sharing function in Windows Live Messenger has finally been patched.  Surprisingly it was done by Rafael Rivera (of uxtheme, Blue Badge, and other fame) and not in one of the common Messenger patches (not yet anyway).

Rafael documents what needs to be changed on his site, but if you want to skip that or you’re not comfortable editing binary files, I threw together a quick patcher using PatchWise Free.

Download the patcher 
You’ll need the latest Messenger installed, but since the latest mandatory update, you should already have it.

What this does exactly
This allows you to drag-and-drop images into the Messenger conversation window or copy/paste image files into Messenger without the Photo Sharing feature being triggered.  Instead, Messenger will send the images as a normal file transfer.  If you still want to use Photo Sharing however, just use the Photo button in the toolbar of the conversation window and the function will work there.

What’s wrong with Photo Sharing?
The only real problem with Photo Sharing is that you can’t turn it off.  Photo Sharing is quite useful for showing someone an image quickly that they may or may not want to keep, but if you’re sending screenshots or other detailed images, it really becomes a nuisance as you have to go through the whole Save, switch to desktop, open file procedure repeatedly.

Doesn’t Plus! do this already?
The latest Plus! version contains a special registry value you can add to deal with when you copy/paste actual bitmap images.  It does not deal with copy/pasting files themselves or a drag-and-drop operation.  For those not aware, the value is OverrideImgTransfer and would go at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Patchou\Messenger Plus! Live\WindowsLiveID@Emailaddress.com\Preferences (where WindowsLiveID@Emailaddress.com is your Live ID).  Rafael’s change deals with this situation as well, so this key is not required.

Thanks!
Don’t thank me, I’m just the messenger (pun intended).  Head over to Rafael’s blog and leave a comment there for him!

As the most used instant messaging service in the world, it’s become more and more common to find your contacts sending out virus, spam and worm links through Messenger.  There’s a lot of different types and different steps for removal, but the one most recently affecting people is a “phishing worm”.

The worm
More than likely you’ve seen the following from one of your contacts recently:
 

There's no need to analyze the link, as it seems to randomly change and most likely new sites are added regularly.  Although Messenger has allowed messages to be sent while appearing offline for quite some time, it’s important to note that these messages are sent out as offline messages (although no doubt this won’t always be a fact). As I know “Ruth” rather well, knew she wasn’t at her computer, and know this message isn’t something characteristic of her, I immediately knew this wasn’t legitimate.

Your best bet is to to stop here and not bother clicking the link without asking for confirmation of what this is from your contact.  However, if you do proceed, you may find yourself at a web site like the following:

 
Although this isn’t a good fake, it does appear somewhat similar to the Messenger user interface and judging from the number of these links sent to me over the past few weeks, it has in fact tricked quite a few people.  Once you provide your Windows Live ID username and password, it saves this information on the scammers server and redirects you to another web page full of advertisements and pointless images.

The scammers now have your credentials and can start their dirty deeds -- logging into Messenger as you, looking through your e-mail, accessing your Microsoft billing information (if you have any) and spamming others with similar links.  You wouldn’t trust a stranger coming up to you asking for your credit card information, so why would you trust a random website with your Messenger credentials?

The worst part of this whole process is that the typical support response is to run a virus scanner.  This of course will find nothing (although a good percentage of Messenger worms and viruses aren’t detected by scanners anyway), as the scammers are logging in from another computer using the provided username and password.  While this fruitless effort to find a non-existent virus on your computer is in progress, someone could be using or selling your information.  Your information might be used within hours, days, or even years long after you’ve forgot this happened.

It is absolutely essential to change your password after your account has been compromised in this fashion on both Windows Live ID (which includes Messenger) and other sites where your log in using the same e-mail address (Facebook, for example). 

Verifying you are at a true Microsoft site and changing your password
Most major web sites on the web today utilize an Extended Validation (EV) certificate.  In most browsers this will appear with a green bar at the top.  Among other security measures and encryption, this indicates that the site has gone through an audit to verify the identity of the site.  To show this in action, let’s head over to https://account.live.com/ChangePassword.aspx to change the Windows Live ID password.

Even if the site appears to look like a Live ID sign in page, look for the green address bar, lock icon and company name to verify it truly is.  Additionally, depending in your Windows version, browser and Live ID site you’re signing into, you might need to click the ‘Sign in using enhanced security’ link on the page to see these indicators. 

Finally you’ll arrive at the password changing page and can change your password.  One minor feature that’s been added recently is an option to prompt you to change your password every 72 days.  I’m not quite sure how this will work with regards to Messenger yet, but time will tell.

As mentioned previously, you should now use similar password changing facilities in other sites which utilize the same e-mail address and password to log in.

Easy steps to remember
To conclude, here are some easy steps to remember to avoid this happening to you:

1. Before accepting an invitation or clicking on a link, verify that it appears to be legitimate.  If in doubt, ask your contact.
2. If a site is prompting for your username and password, verify your information will be going to a legitimate source that you trust.
3. Don’t trust antivirus software to save you.  Use discretion and avoid installing or running any applications from web sites you don’t trust, even if they came from a contact you do.