Removing Ads for Popular Windows IM Clients

The latest bunch of official IM clients have ads that not only play animations but some have sound that don’t respect the application’s other options of disabling sounds. Although the debate of removing ads while using a “free” is still quite valid, providing the information isn’t a crime (yet). Below are instructions on how to remove ads from the four official clients I use most frequently.

  1. Google Talk: No ads (tongue-in-cheek). In addition to its integration with other Jabber clients, the lack of advertising alone should be reason enough to use the service but a large chunk of the untamed masses can’t be bothered to switch.
  2. AOL Instant Messenger (AIM): Use AIM Ad Hack v4.15 for the old client (version 5.9.6089) or Ad Hack 5.2 for the new AIM 6.0 client. One caveat to watch out for if you’re using the old client is although AIM Ad Hack will successfully download the client, AOL has piggy backed upgrade software to download the new 6.0 client. If a window pops up with a progress bar and a message claiming to download new AOL software, just hit cancel and delete the resume download icon off the desktop. The rogue AOL downloader software is in a Windows temp folder which CCleaner will happily delete.
  3. MSN Messenger / Windows Live Messenger: A-Patch is a tool with a whole host of options to configure the box standard MSN/Windows Live Messenger. Make sure to get the right version for the client running on your system.
  4. Yahoo! Messenger: If running the 8.1 (latest version), Y!MSGR AD-Remover new 2 by Sunboy454 will remove the ad box completely.

    Prior to version 8.1, a simple edit of the Registry in Windows eliminated all ads. If you are still using an older client open Regedit, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Yahoo\pager\YUrl and create a new string key named Messenger Ad that has the value * (an asterisk).

    Other keys you can create to remove ads from Yahoo Messenger:

    Webcam Upload Ad
    Webcam Viewer Ad
    Webcam Viewer Ad Big
    Webcam Viewer Ad Medium
    Change Room Banner
    Conf Adurl
    Chat Adurl

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December 21, 2006 | Filed Under Tech/Gadgets 

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