Some of you may like the latest Windows Live Messenger 2011 but I am sure that there are others that hated it. First of all is the missing show my webcam feature that it is replaced with the Video call button, and secondly is the first and last name appearing to contacts rather than the ability to type the name that you want others to see it. Surely Windows Live Messenger 2011 provides some upgraded feature such as the ability to set yourself to appear as offline to everyone and only show as Online to people that you want. This feature is not found in the old Windows Live Messenger 2009…

I have previously posted a trick on how to download and use older version of MSN Messenger which involves in uninstalling Windows Live Messenger by zapping it with ZapMessenger, download and install MSN Messenger, finally use ResHacker to change the version number of the executable file. I believe no one really uses the old MSN Messenger 8 anymore and should at least upgrade to the Windows Live Messenger 2009 IF they are not comfortable with the 2011 version.


First you must uninstall any Windows Live Messenger 2011 if you’ve already installed. You can do this by going to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Uninstall a program > and select Windows Live Essentials 2011 from the list.

I manage to find the official download links for full offline installer (wlsetup-all.exe) of Windows Live Messenger 2009 build 14.0.8089.726 and build 14.0.8117.416. It’s a single setup file that is around 135MB in size. You no longer need to look for individual setup file such as Messenger.msi, dw20shared.msi, crt.msi, Contacts.msi, SegoeFont.msi and wlc.msi. Obviously the 14.0.8117.416 is the latest version for build 14 BUT Microsoft has already removed the Show My Webcam feature. If for some reason you want to use the Show My Webcam feature, please download and install the 14.0.8089.726 build.

Windows Live Messenger 2009 (Build 14.0.8089.726) – Older 2009 build WITH Show My Webcam
http://wl.dlservice.microsoft.com/download/E/3/E/E3EEC6D6-1141-40C4-840F-770F99B67986/en/wlsetup-all.exe

Windows Live Messenger 2009 (Build 14.0.8117.416) – Latest 2009 build WITHOUT Show My Webcam
http://wl.dlservice.microsoft.com/download/F/1/F/F1FE75CE-C235-4250-9598-AEE5D854A7EA/en/wlsetup-all.exe

Once you’ve installed Windows Live Messenger 2009, you will most likely encounter an error “A newer version is available. You must install the newer version in order to continue. Would you like to do this now?” that forces you to upgrade to the latest Windows Live Messenger. Clicking Yes will upgrade and clicking No will stop you from signing in.

Instead of going through the hassle of manually changing the resource of the executable file, you can use “Messenger Link Reviver” tool made by Jonathan Kay. Although this tool is made to modify Messenger to re-enable the clickable links, but it has a built-in feature to circumvent against the latest forced upgrade for Messenger 2009. All you need to do is click the Start button and this tool will do the rest.

Now just sign in as normal and voila, you are now using Windows Live Messenger 2009 without being forced to upgrade to 2011.