Re-activate MSN Links

In mid 2010, Microsoft decided to deactivate links in Windows Live Messenger, (MSN). The reason behind this was to protect users from downloading malicious programs such as viruses, password stealers, trojans, etc, forcing users to copy and paste every link into their browser in order to go to it.

This has been a headache for, well… probably everybody. There aren’t many tutorials on this and there are many who wonder how to fix this. Well, I will tell you that you will have to go into a bit of hex editing. Don’t be scared because it’s going to be as simple as searching and changing a single letter. As long as you follow this tutorial from start to finish, you wont have anything to worry about.

Step 1:

Download  a hex editing program. My favorite is Hex Workshop,.

You can also use another popular one called XVI32.

Step 2:

Logout and exit MSN.

Step 3:

Open your hex editor (We’ll use Hex Workshop). Go to File > Open and navigate to C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger and open the file called “msnmsgr“.

Step 4:

Once it’s loaded, there are different ways to use the search function. You can press F3, Control+F, or click the binoculars in the toolbar.

A window should have popped up asking you for type and value. For type, you’ll want to look for Text String. For value, type in “hotlink“.

Step 5:

Once you find “hotlink” change the letter “h” to any other letter of your choice. I used a. So now “hotlinks” should say “aotlinks”.

Step 6:

Now just click File > Save and reopen your MSN. You should now have clickable links when you send and receive them. Only you can click on them, you’ll have to show your friends this tutorial so they can click on them too. =)