How to escape being dragged into group MSN conversations

Posted on August 9, 2008 at 5:01 am

Windows Live Messenger has, apart from a large number of security flaws and bugs, a major flaw - It automatically drags you into group conversations without your consent or even a warning. I’ve recently been greatly annoyed by this, especially while doing work, and it feels rude not to reply, so I feel obliged to reply. It led me to attempt to find out how to escape the clutches of this rather annoying feature of MSN.

I searched all over Windows Live Messenger, searching for a function to block or disable group conversations, but my search yielded no results, and it seemed that the guys at MSN forgot to add a function to do such a thing.

So I did some more internet scouring, and discovered a nice little way of getting around the pesky MSN conversations. I tried the method, and Lo! And Behold! I am no longer getting flooded with those annoying conversations.

So, here’s a way to at least get a warning before you’re dragged into the conversations.

First, make sure you have the latest version of Windows Live Messenger installed, as this will not work otherwise. That is the only requirement, every thing else needed will be included in this guide.

Step One: Download Messenger Plus! Live and install. Make sure you don’t install the ‘Optional Sponsor Software’ when you’re installing it, otherwise you’ll have spyware. You can download Messenger Plus! Live here: http://www.msgpluslive.net/download/

Step Two: Run Windows Live Messenger like normal, and sign in.

Step Three: Download the Group Chat Warning script, which is available from here: http://www.msgpluslive.net/scripts/download/96/

Step Four: Double click the script (gcwarning0-5.plsc) once finished downloading. Check “I accept responsibility of installing this script” and click Import button.

Don’t worry about the warning, I can assure you that this script is as safe as any program can be. But if you’re that worried, you can scan the file using VirusTotal or anything equivalent to that.

Now, from now on, whenever someone attempts to drag you into a group conversation you will get a warning like the following:

And you will get two options, accept and decline. Here are the effects of the two:

Accept: This will simply allow you to carry onto the group conversation without interference, and close the warning box.

Decline: Makes an automated message that says:

“Please Ask Before Making Group Conversations.”

And automatically closes the conversation.

I’ve found this to be one of the most useful messenger scripts I have come across (Ever!), as it allows me to leave group conversations politely, and so I can carry on with my work.

The script doesn’t actually block group conversations though, which is a shame, but it’s handy anyway.

The only annoying thing I’ve found about this, is the fact the Messenger Plus! Live itself is an rather shady program, and sometimes does annoying things, like one of the functions of it is that every time you sign in, another messenger sign in box will come up, which causes considerable lag (And annoyance!), but other than that, I haven’t found any nasty side effects to this.

Enjoyed this post? Subscribe to Online Tech Tips via RSS Feed or via Email and receive free daily productivity tips.

» Filed Under Cool Websites