Installing Windows Messenger 5.1

Hello!

I recently uninstalled Xnobi (an Outlook add-on) and when I did that, it
took out Windows Messenger. I have the Messenger 5.1 installation files but
when trying to install it, I get a message telling me that I have a newer
version of 5.1 and that I should uninstall that first before installing an
older version. I'm not sure how I can have an older version than what is
already on my laptop because I've obtained the latest version 5.1.0706 from
the Microsoft download site here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899283

The problem is I can not locate any trace of Windows Messenger on the
machine, so there is nothing to uninstall. I located another question where
somebody had this problem and one helpful respondent advises:

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:

> Greetings,
>
> To remove Windows Messenger 5.1, click Start, then Run, and enter the following:
> msiexec /x {C3A6819F-62D3-4750-AF1C-28206DDF2C2E}
> then click OK.
>
> It may report that the prduct isn't installed, if so, reinstall 5.1 and then remove it.

I tried that and I do get the message saying that it isn't installed.
Problem is, I can't follow the advice to install and remove it because that
takes me back to my original problem (Installation fails because I get the
message that I have a newer version already installed). Catch 22?

Thanks.

Greetings Barry,

Unfortunately you can't just use that because there's been multiple
versions of 5.1 released
since.

What should help is removal of this previous Windows Messenger by using
the Windows Installer
Cleanup utility, which you can find here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

After installation, just run, find Windows Messenger on the list and
choose Remove. Then try
installing again.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2008 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this
signature or citation
--

Barry wrote:
> Hello!
>
> I recently uninstalled Xnobi (an Outlook add-on) and when I did that, it
> took out Windows Messenger. I have the Messenger 5.1 installation files but
> when trying to install it, I get a message telling me that I have a newer
> version of 5.1 and that I should uninstall that first before installing an
> older version. I'm not sure how I can have an older version than what is
> already on my laptop because I've obtained the latest version 5.1.0706 from
> the Microsoft download site here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/899283
>
> The problem is I can not locate any trace of Windows Messenger on the
> machine, so there is nothing to uninstall. I located another question where
> somebody had this problem and one helpful respondent advises:
>
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Greetings,
>>
>> To remove Windows Messenger 5.1, click Start, then Run, and enter the following:
>> msiexec /x {C3A6819F-62D3-4750-AF1C-28206DDF2C2E}
>> then click OK.
>>
>> It may report that the prduct isn't installed, if so, reinstall 5.1 and then remove it.
>
> I tried that and I do get the message saying that it isn't installed.
> Problem is, I can't follow the advice to install and remove it because that
> takes me back to my original problem (Installation fails because I get the
> message that I have a newer version already installed). Catch 22?
>
> Thanks.
>
>