Extracting emoticons from Windows Live Messenger
October 31st, 2006 by ck
This guide is based on my previously written guide here, but I’ve updated it slightly since most people are using Windows Live Messenger now, instead of the good-ol-MSN-Messenger. I understand that they are plenty of tools for you to backup your emoticons. However, this is a manual but rather safe way of doing it (since I believe a lot of third party tools contain spyware).
Prerequisites:
- You need to enable hidden files/folders viewing and disable hidden extensions for known file type.
- If you haven’t done so, simply go to My Computer->Tools->Folder Options
- Enable the Show hidden files and folders option and uncheck the Hide extensions for known file types option.
- Screenshot of the above:
Steps:
- Browse to C:\Documents and Settings\[your-username]\Application Data\Microsoft\Messenger\[your-msn-email-add]\ObjectStore for Windows XP or C:\Users\[your-username]\App Data\Local\Microsoft\Messenger\[your-msn-email-add]\ObjectStore for Windows Vista.
- Copy the CustomEmoticons folder and paste it in C:\. Screenshot:
- Click on Start->Run, and type “cmd”. Screenshot:
- Type cd c:\customEmoticons. Rename all the *.dt2 file to *.gif using the ren command as the screenshot below:
- Now go to c:\CustomEmoticons folder in My Computer/Windows Explorer, use View->Thumbnails mode, and you’re done!
Do note that you can repeat those steps for custom backgrounds you have (located under Backgrounds folder instead of CustomEmoticons).
[...] Check out his blog and his 2 new entries to spherebox over here and here! Posted on November 01st 2006 by Sian Siew | Categorised as General Tech, Site Updates [...]
this wasn’t working for me i think it is because i have xp any help would be appreaciated thnx
Doesn’t work for me either. It’s worked in the past, but for some reason there’s no CustomEmoticons folder there.
apparently for 8.1, its changed, try looking here:
C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Messenger\your e-mail address\ObjectStore
Wow, thanks! This worked perfectly and like a charm! I had backed up my files on my pc before wiping it clean, but I didn’t know what to do with all the .dat files I was left with for MSN. Now I know!!
Appreciated!
let me correct it in Windows Live Messenger 8.5:
XP:
c:\documents and settings\%userprofile%\local settings\application data\microsoft\messenger\.
Vista:
c:\users\%userprofile%\appdata\local\microsoft\messenger\
CMIIWW…
The paths in the guide have been updated to work with Windows Live Messenger 8.5. Thanks aleks and luminors for posting the paths. :)
Hey guys I have found out something wierd in WLM 8.5.
In a Chat window press and hold Alt + Enter button. Keep holding it for a while and emoticons will appear at the end.
Enjoy
Grtz. David/Hopar ARMENIA Rulezzz!!!
[EDIT] I ment SHIFT + ENTER
Hey guys I have found out something wierd in WLM 8.5.
In a Chat window press and hold Alt + Enter button. Keep holding it for a while and emoticons will appear at the end.
This was extremely helpful. Thanks a lot! Very clear and simple instructions, but gives a good idea of how it works.
Okay, but once I get the file with all the .gifs, how do I get them back into a new install of Messenger?
JAM,
Using those steps, you would have to re-add it back via WLM:
1. Start a conversation window.
2. Click on ‘Select an emoticon’ icon, then ‘Show all…’
3. Click on ‘Create…’
4. Click ‘Find Image…’ and locate the GIF you would like to add as an emoticon, choose a keyboard shortcut for it and name it if you wish. You would have to repeat steps 3 and 4 for each emoticon you would want to readd.
So far I’ve found asking contacts to resend their emoticons and ’stealing’ them to be a much quicker process though. ;)