Messenger Link Reviver for Windows Live Messenger 2009

Recently, Microsoft disabled web links in Windows Live Messenger 2009 citing it to be a temporary measure to a malicious worm.  Therefore links now appear as just text and need to be copy/pasted to your browser manually.  One can debate the effectiveness of this action as Messenger already had the ability to simply not deliver links meeting a certain criteria, but it seems they’ve given up on this original functionality and now rely on the SmartScreen link redirector exclusively in Windows Live Messenger 2011.

Windows Live Messenger 2011 isn’t for everyone though.  You’re certainly out of luck if you use Windows XP, Messenger Plus Live, or want to use features missing in 2011 such as handwriting or webcam.

So for those who wish to use Windows Live Messenger 2009 and still have the ability to click on links, I give you Messenger Link Reviver.

How to use Messenger Link Reviver

Update 6/20/2012: Messenger Link Reviver has been replaced with Messenger Reviver.  Please use this instead.
Download the Messenger Link Reviver zip file and run the application.  Click Start to apply the Reviver changes and Messenger will automatically restart.  You should now be able to click on links again.

Note that you’ll be prompted to elevate to administrator permissions if you’re using Windows Vista or Windows 7 with UAC on.

Requirements
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (any edition of these)
.NET Framework 2.0 or higher (already included with Windows Vista and Windows 7)
Windows Live Messenger 2009 14.0.8089.726 or 14.0.8117.416

Frequently asked questions
Does it work with modifiers to Messenger?
Yes, Messenger Link Reviver will not remove any changes you’ve made to Messenger.  However, if you use a tool which does so, you may need to re-run the reviver after making any changes.

I get a “.NET Framework Initialization Error” or “The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000135). Click on OK to terminate the application” when I run Messenger link Reviver.
You’ll need to install at least the 2.0 .NET Framework on your machine.

Version history
01/14/2011  1.1.0.0 Allows continued sign in after CVR (forced) update
11/21/2010  1.0.0.0  Initial release

Just a quick note that Spaces will be shutting down soon, so this blog will be moving.  More on where you’ll be able to find the blog later.

The blog has now moved and as such, new advertising has appeared.  If you see a download link or image below this line, it is not the download link for Link Reviver.  The download link is above.