Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows
Home > Type > News > Put Messenger back in the tray in Windows 7 where it belongs

Put Messenger back in the tray in Windows 7 where it belongs

Jan. 4, 2009 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

On the latest episode of the Windows Weekly podcast, and in this article, I was complaining about the new default behavior for Windows Live Messenger under Windows 7: Instead of placing its icon in the tray notification area, Windows 7 gives it a full-fledged taskbar button when minimized, and two or more buttons if other windows (like the main window or chat windows) are open. I don’t like this, and while I appreciate the effort to clean up the tray, the effect is to simply clutter up another part of the UI instead.

Turns out you can “fix” it. I got a very helpful email today explaining that you can simply run Windows Live Messenger in Windows Vista compatibility mode to move its icon back to the tray where God intended. To do so, quit Messenger. Then, find the executable file, msnmsgr.exe (it’s in C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger by default), right-click it, choose Properties, and visit the Compatibility tab. Under Compatibility Mode, select “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and then choose Windows Vista from the list. Click OK and restart Messenger. Voila!

Thanks very much to Marcus F. for the tip.

Discuss this Article 23

tockly
on Jan 4, 2009
Thanks for this. It was really bugging me having it on the taskbar.
BrightrevCarl
on Jan 4, 2009
I found another (annoying) problem with the Windows Live Messeger beta. It steals focus with its contacts window, making the desktop gadgets loose focus. In practice what this means is that if you have gadgets on your desktop and use Aero peek or desktop peek (the little whoseewhatist in the right corner) your desktop looks like it's empty. You have to minimize all your windows, click the desktop and then maximize them again to be able to Aero/Desktop peek at the gadgets again. Anyone else see this and have a solution or workaround? I've switched to Digsby for now, which does this less (but still does it).
robertsjoe
on Jan 4, 2009
It's actually Windows 6.1, not 7. http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2008/10/14/why-7.aspx
stimshady
on Jan 4, 2009
agreed, i don't like the messenger icon on the taskbar in Win7, i have been closing it down to get rid of it... cheers for the fix... hopefully MS sort this out.
glenroberts
on Jan 4, 2009
@robertsjoe... Its marketing name is "Windows 7" and its 6.1 by version number - solely for compatibility if/when a program asks for it.
RunTimeError
on Jan 5, 2009
@glenroberts: Please don't feed robertsjoe. He's nothing more than the local troll.
realtestman
on Jan 5, 2009
Agreed RunTimeError. He should go back to the Trollerpark where he came from. Anyway, good tip, but will there be a permanent solution, or maybe an option within the Messenger app when it's fully released (as well as 7 being released of course)?
Ocean
on Jan 5, 2009
http://i39.tinypic.com/2cmnoyu.jpg
tayme
on Jan 5, 2009
Just to keep up with robertsjoe and Ocean on the OT, trolling posts... http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/01/05sjletter.html That last sentence reminds me of Forrest Gump! In all honesty, I sincerely hope that Jobs has a quick and full recovery. --tayme
Lindy
on Jan 5, 2009
I am not sure I know anyone that uses a vendors IM client, unless they are at work and use Office Communicator and cant install what they want. http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/learn/ http://www.adiumx.com/
Ocean
on Jan 5, 2009
Tayme, This is the best commentary I've seen about the mans health: >>Aren’t you glad that your weight isn’t the subject of an avalanche of discussion–some of it by people who apparently thought they knew more about Steve Jobs’ health than the man himself did?<< http://technologizer.com/2009/01/05/a-letter-from-steve-jobs/ I'm sure Paul will tell us this is far more important than the Zune outage where MS did basically nothing to fix the problem...
Dipsh t Admin
on Jan 5, 2009
"Aren’t you glad that your weight isn’t the subject of an avalanche of discussion" I am, but I'm not the iconic CEO of a company. Poor analogy. "Zune outage where MS did basically nothing to fix the problem." A single day outage that will fix itself after the day is over? What were they supposed to do in that time? Find the problem, rush out a firmware fix of unknown quality, that by the time it is distributed, the problem will be resolved? They kept everyone informed, much more than other companies would/could have and especially given the limited nature of the outage the level of interaction was more than enough. It even exceeded MS's own typical level of interaction. It was a stupid programming error that they should have known better. Isn't the first time, won't be the last, from MS or any other company.
Lindy
on Jan 5, 2009
Ocean I agree Dipsh t Admin, it was really a non-issue after it righted its self in 24 hours. Had it required you to send it in then it would have been an issue. At best it was bad press at a time that Microsoft does not need anymore bad press.
Delmont
on Jan 5, 2009
You know, that's what I like about my 1993 Jag and NT. Keeping it simple. All this glass see thru stuff... Hey drwam: I bet your $400 laptop can run NT like a champ! :-)
weedmonk
on Jan 5, 2009
Nice thanks...I hope they change that behavior by RC or with an update to WLM itself.
shark47
on Jan 5, 2009
"Find the problem, rush out a firmware fix of unknown quality, that by the time it is distributed, the problem will be resolved?" I don't think they could've done anything about it at that time. Even when connected to the PC, the Zune wouldn't restart. There was no way to update the device with a new firmware when it wouldn't even restart. Microsoft has to update the driver at some point before Dec 2012, though.
Lindy
on Jan 5, 2009
"Microsoft has to update the driver at some point before Dec 2012, though." Or not. 2012 would make the Zune 30 what 6 years old? They could easily say its not supported anymore. Surely the battery will be dead in most if not all, and its only a 24 hour outage. Then again I would patch it if it did not require much work/$$$ to do so. It will probably be thrown in with a firmware update that adds more functionality in 2009 as the Zune continues to develop.
lotsamystuff
on Jan 5, 2009
"I'm sure Paul will tell us this is far more important than the Zune outage where MS did basically nothing to fix the problem..." It is, "ocean". The health of Steve Jobs is a huge concern since, in the misguided view of many in the industry, Jobs IS Apple, Inc. A Zune outage? That whole story was a tempest in a teapot, and you know it. But Paul's not going to comment on Jobs' illness and recovery. Everything's been said that needs to be said, and there are bigger fish to fry.
weedmonk
on Jan 5, 2009
Jobs is hormonal and that why he is supposedly looking like an emaciated Sryian. I really hope he focus' on his health and maybe start a 3rd act like Gates and does something selfless with his fortune.
robertsjoe
on Jan 5, 2009
"Its marketing name is "Windows 7" and its 6.1 by version number - solely for compatibility if/when a program asks for it." Solely because it's not a major update. If it was, it'd be taking another 5 years to be released. That's not to say it won't be delayed (which it will). Can't wait for Windows 6.1.
tayme
on Jan 5, 2009
@robertsjoe - more of that broken record, huh??? --tayme
subzerohitman721
on Jan 5, 2009
Definitely an annoyance that Microsoft needs to fix. What was wrong with WLM behavior in the tray before hand? I think this is a case of over engineering a simple messenging program. Why didn't they include an option to return the messanger to the system tray? It is just very odd and I really do hope they fix this before it is officially released. I'm glad that Steve Jobs health issue has been addressed by Jobs. I really do hope he focuses on his health and the contributing issues to his health. I would hope we'll have him around in the coming years and decades. Its rare to have someone with that kind of drive and genius.
anonymous
on Jan 5, 2009
Your story was featured in Dapx! Here is the link to vote it up and promote it: http://dapx.com/Technology/Put-Messenger-back-in-the-tray-in-Windows-7-w...

Please or Register to post comments.

Related Articles

IT/Dev Connections

Las Vegas
September 30th - October 4th

Paul ThurottYou'll have the opportunity to experience:
• 120 Technical
Sessions
• Networking with Peers
• Expert Speakers


Come See Paul Thurrott & Mary Jo Foley in Person!

Register Now

Office 365 InfoCenter

Get the latest insight and info from Paul

Read Now!

What I Use
Apr. 18, 2013
Article

What I Use: On the Road 20

Every so often, I publish an updated version of my “What I Use” document, which details the technology products and services I actually use day-to-day. Since I’m currently on my third business trip in five weeks, this is perhaps an ideal time to discuss the technology products I rely on when I travel and a few related points....More
Mar. 6, 2013
Article

What I Use: March 2013 33

Lots of changes since November, including a new PC-based home server running Windows 8, several new smart phones, new PCs and tablets, new cloud backup, Office 365 Home Premium and a nice doubling of my Internet speeds courtesy of Verizon FIOS....More
WinSuperSite.com
Related Penton Sites
Copyright © 2013 Penton Media, Inc