How to Manually Remove Ads from Windows Live Messenger

I love MSN Windows Live Messenger. It's the most useful messenger out there, however, it lacks a lot of necessary ad-ons. This is why I use MSN Plus. I've been after the MSN Patch for over a year now, and no luck. MSN Patch has either gone offline, got sued, or just plain no longer produces it's product. It's a real shame considering just how annoying the Windows Live Messenger ads can be.

I don't like downloading new programs I don't know, nor trust. After all every time you download something, you are opening your computer up to a potential hacking, virus or Trojans, and the only way to know, is to test. I don't enjoy formatting, so I don't test things I don't have to, or aren't paid to do.

So I've done some research, and testing to find out how to block MSN Windows Live Messenger ads without downloading someone else's work, or program.

Follow these easy steps to make your Windows Live Messenger almost 100% ad free. I say almost because there is a blank box when you are done that sometimes shows the default MSN logo.

Be sure your Windows Live Messenger is shut down before proceeding.

1. Click on your "My Computer" icon, if by chance you don't have the "My Computer" icon on your desktop, go to the start button.

2. Click on control panel, either from the "My Computer" icon or the start button.

3. Click on "Internet Options", then click on the "Security" tab at the top. Click on the "Restricted Sites" button, and then click on the word "sites." Type or copy the URL "rad.msn.com" without the quotes, and press the "Add" button. Then close.

4. Add the URL "rad.msn.com" without the quotes.

If the above directions confuse you, there is another way to achieve this.

Bring up your Internet Explorer. Once your IE window is brought up, click on the word "Tools", then click on "Internet Options". Click on the "Security" tab at the top. Click on "Restricted Sites" button, and then click on the word "sites." Type or copy the URL "rad.msn.com" without the quotes, and press the "Add" button. Then close. This may be IE7 and up only, I am not sure.

The text ads in the Live Messenger chat windows will still appear while chatting. This method only blocks the banner ads rotating at the bottom of the MSN Windows Live Messenger buddy list. This will help save your speed and your RAM usage.