Ever since I tried to install the new 2009 version of the Windows Live Messenger on my PC, I have had to deal with this stubborn error code 0×80004004. I tried to install messenger so many times that I finally gave up and just used messenger on my laptop. I still use Windows XP professional SP3, but I believe this error comes up even in Windows Vista and Windows 7.

The problem is that the new messenger version downloads and installs to 100%, but it doesn’t finish - it rolls back and uninstalls everything it just installed!? Then I get a message saying installation was aborted and error code 0×80004004 is displayed.

I thought maybe I need to clean the registry because some old Live files were left over. I cleaned it with Ccleaner, but it didn’t help.

After weeks of waiting and mild research, I found the solution:

• You have to download install Windows Install Clean Up (msicuu2.exe) from this Microsoft support page. This little tool lets you remove programs that are still in the system or that have previously been installed but not completely removed.
• Once you run the tool, you’ll see all programs that are installed.
• Scroll down until you see Windows Live programs.
• Remove all Windows Live components one by one (you may see an error message, but that’s ok. Just click OK and continue)
• Optional step: if you want, you can run Ccleaner and make sure your registry has no ‘issues‘. I did.
• After this, I went back to the Windows Live Web site and ran the installation again. This time it worked!

Problem Solved! Now I can use my Live Messenger again.