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May 25, 2006

Remove Ads from Yahoo Messenger

Last update: Sept. 27, 2008

If you install Yahoo Messenger 8.0 or 9.0, you'll notice a very annoying animated ad at the bottom of the main window.

How to get rid of the ads?

1. Close Yahoo Messenger.

2. Save this .bat file and execute it.

Please note that if you run Yahoo Messenger from a FAT32 disk, this fix disables some features from Yahoo Messenger, like chat rooms and the plug-in manager. NTFS is the standard file system used in Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, so it's likely that you won't see these limitations if you use a recent version of windows.

The .bat file you've just downloaded edits most registry values related to the ads in Yahoo Messenger from HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Yahoo\pager\YUrl, replacing the data with a dummy asterisk. Here's the list of string values:

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



The patch also makes the file C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\Cache\urls.xml read-only and it revokes all the permissions for the file, but only for NTFS disks.

If you install new versions of Yahoo Messenger, you'll have to repeat the steps above, as Yahoo setup rewrites the registry entries. New versions will most likely make removing the ads more difficult or even impossible.

347 comments:

  1. wow.. it works.. thnx...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks a lot. They were really annoying. One thing though. You said create a string key. What you meant is create a string value. Might confuse some.

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  3. Once your get to the path just right select new then select string Type in the name provided then right click on it again and go to modify put a * (an asterisk) in that box. ***WORKS*** only takes about 30 seconds and it's worth it. With all the IMes and bots just going around spreading it on yahoo next release of yahoo messengers it's going to be patched more then likely..

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  4. you are my hero :-) thanks

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  5. Thank you . It really works - YIM looks so much better without the adds.

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  6. You just make my whole company very very happy :)

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  7. thx so much .. I was going out of my mind. Trying to remove the ad

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  8. Thanks. I have thought not to use Yahoo messenger any more due to its ugly AD bannar.

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  9. I know they're a business and they're allowed to make some money out of this, but do they really think people will put up with non-stop animated flash ads on their desktop?

    Thanks for the fix!

    ReplyDelete
  10. thanks alot for this tweak, I was going to swith back to v7 because of the godamn ads :]

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the tips. Is there a way to remove the 'Phone Out, Phone In Links and box as well?

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  12. Disregard my previous post, I just figured out how to remove the Phone In/Out link :)

    Just go to Messenger > Show/Hide > unselect the Yahoo! Voice Bar

    ReplyDelete
  13. thanks bro, i was going crazy trying to remove those annoying banners!

    yahoo is starting to be alot like microsoft with their messenger....too bad, they dont realize peep hate that.

    thanks again, btw i just downloaded the file and double clicked it, pretty fast, not that im a lazy ass !! heh bye.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This solution sort of works; I say "sort of" because the messenger still loads embedded web browser - it's just that as expected, it can't open the ad URL, resulting in the stupid "Action canceled" message shown in the frame. To avoid seeing that message, replace the asterisks in the URL values with "about:blank" or whatever content you feel like seeing at the bottom of your messenger.

    A real fix would be to stop the messenger from embedding IE in the first place.

    ReplyDelete
  15. this worked good. i upgraded to get rid of their stupid dialog box. when i upgraded, their new ads starting crashing Yahoo Messenger immediately after loading. I was able to go into the SYSTEM#2 directory and rename MSHTML.DLL to MSHTML.DLL.OLD and able to load the program. i saw the ad box and new that's what was causing it. I installed the above patch and the ad box is now gone. Since I don't use IE or most functions that integrate windows with the web, I might not rename the file back. But for those of you who are like me who don't use IE, renaming MSHTML.DLL might help some of you. Remember. RENAME. don't delete! You may need it some point in the future.

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  16. Awesome .... it removed the annoying ad window at the bottom.

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  17. Awesome fix.It works on the new beta 8. I was going to quit using it and roll back but don't have to now. Thank a lot.

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  18. This is absolutely fantastic. This is how to deal with Yahoo's gorilla upgrade tactics in IM7.0. Thanks to the original poster and Garrote for creating a simple file to run.

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  19. We don't have to struggle that hard in it.
    Yahoo has very much given you a simple user friendly method to take off all those unwanted 'plugins'.

    Just click on 'Plug-ins' at bottom left of the screen. Alternately, we can choose from menubar 'Actions' > 'Choose plugins'.
    And simple add or remove whichever is good to use or annoying not to be seen :)

    I must say, they've done a good job otherwise and should be appreciated :)

    Cheers !
    Rahul

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  20. Quick and easy fix! Thanks =)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Iam not sure what the above post means
    "This solution sort of works; I say "sort of" because the messenger still loads embedded web browser ----"

    It work great for me and NOTHING is even on the bottom of the buddy list to click on....

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi,

    Was working fine with version 7.5 and beta. I installed version 8.0.0.682, it does not work. Please do post a way to get rid of ads in the newer version.

    Thanks and regards,

    Any

    ReplyDelete
  23. yahoo guys seems to hav digged a way out of this mess.

    so waiting for some yahoo traitors to give ussome clue :(

    keep waiting.. the day will come....
    and will so be a new version.
    lets hope for a no ad version !

    ReplyDelete
  24. The instructions are updated. In addition to what you did for Messenger 7.5, you have to edit one more registry value and delete an XML file.

    ReplyDelete
  25. There is a slight probl with the final release of version 8 (build 862).
    After I modify the registry and delete de xml file, the banner dissapears.
    But after a while the xml file is recreated and the banner reappears.

    Any ideas ... ?

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  26. It works for me with a clean install of Y!M 8.0.0.682. Just make sure you download the .reg file again (it has been updated with a new entry).

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  27. Now it works :)
    Before I was missing the "Y Content" registry entry.

    One more remark.
    At the start of this post between the registry entries is the "Webcam Viewer Ad Big", in the reg file is misspelled as "Webcam Viewer Ad Bid". You sould edit the reg file.

    ReplyDelete
  28. The Y Content registry seems to cut me off from accessing www.yahoo.com using IE and also the chatroom lists can't be downloaded, too.
    It seems to me like all yahoo related IE resources are cut off.

    Actually even without editing the xml file, I didn't see the flash coming out again. However, I only did this within 3 mins as I expect the flash to re-appear within 30s.

    Anyways, so far I've decided to edit the xml file with * as the url and made it read-only. Seems to work fine so far.

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  29. Thank you. Your idea is excellent. I didn't notice that the chat rooms aren't accessible.

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  30. For those that were aware of registry tweaks, you'll notice that the bat shown here modifies the urls.xml file by removing any content and then setting it to read only. This is the big difference between YMsgs prior to 8.0.0.682. Setting the xml to read only keeps messenger from re-adding its evil banners.

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  31. Thank you, guy ;)

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  32. This does not work with the new 8.0.0.683 build... The urls.xml file remains empty, but the banners show anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is just pathetic. I'm not going to play cat and mouse with Yahoo. They can embed everything in the EXE if they want, so you couldn't disable the ads.

    Anyway, nobody forces you to upgrade.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Very sorry... I retract my statement about 683... The batch file DOES work. Wow you commented very quickly!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Your fix does not work with the new 8.0.0.683 build actually ! But nobody forces you to upgrade is a silly comment because using official version is better then the beta one. I hope you guy have a fine solution to disable ads in YM8 !

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  36. Thank you so much, work fine and successfully and very FAST :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Yahoo upgraded their program now on version 8.0.0.701 the solutin u offered is no longer useableso i suggest u tell me how to do it now :D...it's a matter of makeing the urls.xml stop appearing or editing it so that it would no longer show the ads in the body of the messenger

    Deeds

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  38. It doesn't work with the latest updated version 8.0.0.701. Can u check and upload the new settings.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  39. If you don't use Yahoo! Chat, try this file.

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  40. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  41. Thanks for the update. Any chance u could update it to work with chatrooms as well.

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  42. Any update with the new ad removing technique for 701 build?

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  43. Gr8 work........ Thanks for the No ad fix...Its our right

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  44. Its your right? Yes it would be if you paid for the service. But since you are not, i guess it is Yahoo's right to make some money by showing ads, so that they can keep giving you the excellent service that they have been giving.

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  45. There's another patch for build 701 on www.9down.com, but it's very buggy, so I don't recommend using it until it'll be fixed. Doesn't look like patch here is going to be updated too. So it looks like we'll have to stick to build 683 for eternity, or use messenger with ads.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I've updated the patch for the latest build.

    I agree that Yahoo has the right to include ads, pop-ups and other things in its software, but people should react and either force them to change their practices or migrate to a better alternative. For the moment, Google Talk, gaim and meebo are my favorite alternatives.

    ReplyDelete
  47. And one more thing: I wouldn't recommend you to install exe files as patches for Yahoo Messenger (and other software), as this can be done with reg/bat files. That exe files could have a hidden agenda, while a reg/bat file can be checked easily.

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  48. Type netstat at a command prompt (hold the windows key and press r) the address that starts with "pclick." is the yahoo ad domain. It doesnt show up unless the messenger screen is active. Right click on the command window and select "mark", highlight the url starting at pclick up to but not including ":http" press enter. In the run dialog (windows key+R)type "notepad C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\HOSTS" (without quotes) and press enter. On the next line after 127.0.0.1 localhost type "127.0.0.1" press tab and paste the url you copied earlier don't forget to save before you exit. The change will not take effect until you restart.

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  49. Alex, you said you updated the patch for the latest build. Updated how? Does it still have a bug with chat? What have you updated, if you don't mind me asking. Sorry, but i just didnt understand.

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  50. The fix for 683 doesn't work in 701. I've updated it with a new registry value, that blocks the ads, the access to chats and probably other things. It works fine for me, as I don't use the chats. If you see other problems, please let me know.

    I made this fix mostly for myself, as I don't like the Flash banner in the main window. If it's useful for other people, it's even better.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Alex, I have a very, very huge problem. After I installed 701 build and tried various ads removers for it, your patch for build 683 doesn't work for me anymore. I have build 683 installed now, and I see no reason for your patch to stop working (after uninstall of 701 I cleaned all Yahoo! files and registry keys. "Documents and Settings"; "Program Files"; registry itself). It happened only after I tried ads removers. And you were right, messing with .exe files to any version is wrong. None of them works normal. Any advices? Preferable other than "roll back to 7.x". I'd greatly appreciate any help! And I'm really starting to hate Yahoo! for their advertisement politics.

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  52. It works for me. Try to uninstall it, install 683 once again (from here) and run this.

    I wonder if Yahoo will start to include pop-ups in the next versions, people will continue to upgrade?

    I still have an old version (Yahoo 6.0) and I think I'll install that one.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Thank you for the hack. great hack for yahoo. ads piss me off. now to see if i can get rid of those stupid thing i dont use like phone and all those bs plugins.

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  54. the new build (711) is out. and this trick still works. :D

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  55. Does anyone have a working solution for 8.0.0.711?

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  56. use the old one it's still work

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  57. Yup, have instaleed 8.0.0.711 today, the second soltion present here works like a charm, thanks!

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  58. what is solution nr.2

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  59. Solution works like a dream. Thanks for discovering a gr8 solution !!

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  60. Hey, what is August 11st? Shouldn't it be August 11th or just August 11? :)

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  61. Odd, I just installed IM on my win2000 computer and no adds, so I reinstalled it on my win98 computer, still has adds. why is OS making a difference?

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  62. Just upgraded and this worked like a champ! Thanks for your hard work.

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  63. Lol, is really funny but you guys have the most complicated answer to the most simple issue.

    Instead of changing those registry entries take a look at the following key:

    My PC\HKE_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\Pager\Locale\

    Just change "Enable Messenger Ad" to the 0 (enabled) to 1 (disabled) and presto.

    No more ads and scary tricks :)
    Works like a charm.

    Hope it helped! (and you can update this post so people in the future can find an easier solution to this problem).

    Tony
    tony_montana_ar@yahoo.com.ar

    ReplyDelete
  64. "Lol, is really funny but you guys have the most complicated answer to the most simple issue."

    I tried that and even restarted the comp, but it didn't work for v8 b711. I tried the posted solution as well but didn't work, either. so I don't know what else. if anyone has any more solution, please shed the light. tnx much!

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  65. I have 8.0.0.701 and neither of your solutions work for me

    When I run the .bat, I get Acces denied

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  66. Make sure you have the rights to write in C:\Program Files. Login as an admin.

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  67. It's not working and I am using my admin acount

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  68. WOW this rocks man thnaks HUGS...

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  69. It works for me too but I still have one thing that it's annoying for me: if my friend has an older version of messenger, in conversation window apear a message that said that you should invite your friend to upgrade.
    How can I remove this message from there?
    Thanks

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  70. I can't get it to work on mine and I really need it. If I even run my cursor over my messenger I get a browser page offering me a greencard. My messenger is on drive D but this opens on my desktop which is drive C. Is there a way to get this to work? Oh and please be very clear with instructions as I am not all that great at this stuff. Thanks in advance.

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  71. Edit the bat file and replace "%PROGRAMFILES%\Yahoo!\Messenger\Cache\urls.xml" with the path to your Messenger.

    %PROGRAMFILES% is a Windows variable that 's translated to "C:\Program Files" if you installed Windows in C: drive.

    So try to find your Yahoo! folder and replace %PROGRAMFILES% with the actual path.

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  72. Sweet fix thanks a ton, my dual core 4200 is back to normal i.e. very little CPU usage, thanks a ton!!!!!!!!

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  73. thanks it works for me also.

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  74. There's another patch here: http://www.wackyb.co.nz/vb/showthread.php?t=348 It removes ads and still keep the chatroom accessible, so like a charm... The patch is an exe file so I don't know the change details though.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Alex, I am hoping you still monitor this. I am annoyed that when I update my yahoo mail "contacts", I then get duplicate contacts in Yahoo Messenger. I have found that if I rename one of the files in the yahoo/cahce directory, oVgdX4ulexuxzE.PgYzSAQ--.ab.xml, I will get rid of the duplicates. It appears that I am getting rid of the wrong duplicates. What I want to do is keep the "new" contacts that get picked up from Yahoo mail and get rid of the "old" contacts that seem to remain in Yahoo Messenger. Any suggestions besides going in and deleting the 200 duplicate names one by one in Yahoo messenger?
    Thanks,
    allen_moretsky@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. works on YM 8.1.0.195 too. 10x

    ReplyDelete
  77. _____________________________________
    Anonymous said...

    Odd, I just installed IM on my win2000 computer and no adds, so I reinstalled it on my win98 computer, still has adds. why is OS making a difference?

    9/07/2006 6:58 PM
    _____________________________________

    I think you will find that the two systems have different screen resolutions. It is my understanding that they built in some kind of command to check resolutions and not insert the add into lower resolution systems. Taking that, as their determining factor that the system would be slower, as to not to bog down older slower systems with the adds. Probably, to try to keep those users with slower systems as pleased as possible with their service.

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  78. IT IS WORKING GREAT FOR LATEST YAHOO MESSENGER 8.1.0.195.
    but it disables the yahoo chat feature. thats is also a great feature in itself. :) .

    ReplyDelete
  79. Does removing the ad banner disable the webcam for anyone? My webcam looks like it is sending an image but no one can see it. This only happens on the one machine that I edited the registry to remove the ad banner on.

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  80. I'm glad to see that you are sharing this with the rest of the world. We need to show that we are not going to just sit idle as we are inundated by a ton of ads in our software. Good work and thanks for sharing this for everyone to benefit. Oh and for the person who inevitably is going to say that, "Ads help pay for this software!", you need to not only take another look at how long IM's have been around and free, but also how rich Yahoo is and I seriously doubt that they "need" the money from these ads...

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  81. Just wanted to say "thank you" for this tip. The ad on the bottom of the new ymsn was really unacceptable, and was the reason i kept an old ymsn on my pc.

    ReplyDelete
  82. works well on current version 8.1.0.209
    peace!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Latest YIM there is only 1 reg key to change

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\pager\Locale

    Change
    Enable Messenger Ad from 1 to 0

    Restart YIM

    ReplyDelete
  84. sweet, keep up the good tips

    ReplyDelete
  85. First of all congratulations for this Good Thing you have do to help others.

    I just suprised after installing new version of Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.206 India, some new entries come into reg file. After installing this new version I am able to see new rooms Yahoo made for India. But these rooms are not available on ordinary version. It has some new entries in the reg file by this only India rooms are extended (full viewable) but I think for every coutry Yahoo made some new rooms, only installaion for that country version you will get these rooms. Please look into this matter. : Udayan : udayana_pkt@yahoo.com

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  86. OMG! i love you so much! :D thankkkxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  87. Messenger 8.1.0.209. IT WORKS! HAPPY NEW YEAR and THANKS! noYMads2.bat
    Maestre, toata stima! Ma chinui de ceva timp, dar a meritat. Un an bun!

    ReplyDelete
  88. Thanks for the tip.

    As for Yahoo - they keep on shooting themselves in the foot - good luck Yahoo! I'll definitely move to an alternative like GAIM where Yahoo can't play these games. Yes - it's Yahoo's right to put in these annoying ads and yes it's my right to send their product to the software cemetery.

    Alan

    ReplyDelete
  89. thanks! my yahoo ad is now removed but how can i be able to use the chat rooms?

    ReplyDelete
  90. well the trick worked for me thanks guys... as for the guys bemoaning yahoos right to bludgeon us to death with system resource consuming ads for things no one wants to buy anyway?? blechhhhh.. they make a fortune from advertising on their main page and from all the spam that "accidently" makes its way into your yahoo mail account not to mention what they make from paid voip users..... the next questions begs to be asked.. if you dont like yahoo messenger why not just use google chat or use an alternate client like trillion??????

    ReplyDelete
  91. You can use my Ad Destroy 3.0 that will remove the Ads in all builds from 6.0 to 8.1.0239 and will not effect how you enter chat or use anything else yahoo related.

    Get it at http://shadow-corp.net

    ReplyDelete
  92. I just cleared browsing history, and then re-loaded messenger. (just so people know, I'm just now jumping into this topic) My results were a php file that yahoo calls up when it logs in. the registry calls up, and I'm sure there's a long list of these somewhere and this is just one of them, but the site
    http://messenger.yahoo.com/external/client_ad.php?p=409640
    I'm pretty sure the only way to officially remove the ad is to keep it from loading this php file. I may be wrong, but someone here said you can disable yahoo from using IE, but I was pretty sure that most of yahoo was built on top of IE and some .xml files. I'm going to keep searching for a way to block this, I'm starting in the .xml files though cause I hate trying to edit the registry. Just so you all know, I'm using 8.1.0.209.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Arcanewulf, the link http://messenger.yahoo.com/external/client_ad.php?p=409640 is hardedcoded into the exe and in the urls.xml file, why deleting the urls.xml file an making it read only does not work anymore.

    What my patch does is remove the harded url from the exe then delete the urls.xml then make its own urls.xml and make it ready only then change some offsets in the messenger exe and hey presto, no more ads.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Dermot... why dont you also tell people that your software sends you thier passwords... what a script kiddie.

    The bat above works just fine. You can edit it and omit the chatroom reg edits. It will still work. This is just like the old skool way of pulling the ad... just change the web address for thier ad server.

    ReplyDelete
  95. i Love it!
    Great Job!

    ReplyDelete
  96. Gr8. thx a lot!!! U made me and my friends sooooo haaapy :)
    Well, i'm so glad i found this page!
    Cool stuff and smart guys.
    Hudge huggs and thx again.

    ReplyDelete
  97. @Anonymous Comment

    Trust someone hiding under a anonymous tag to bash and lie about any software i make. I niether steal or want to steal anybodies passwords and if you knew anything about yahoo you would know they now encrypt their saved passwords to stop people from stealing them from the registry, using a bat file will not remove the buddylist advertisement as the client retains the ad url embedded in its exe no matter if the urls xml file is read only which is exactly what the batch file does, the registry edits work fine but the read only trick does not. If future when you want to bash me on a open discussion at least have the balls to actually leave your name and actually learn about yahoo! messenger.

    Thanks,
    Dermot
    http://shadow-corp.net

    ReplyDelete
  98. Thank you very much for the batch file. It was fantastic. Previously, I tried hard to remove it. I could not get it off. Your batch file did it.

    - NKS

    ReplyDelete
  99. nice, ty ;)
    it seams that yahoo havent made a very good job with that annoing add :)) in 30 seconds and a search on google i removed the add :)) hehe

    ty again :D

    ReplyDelete
  100. Works with Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.239. Thank you.

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  101. how i can vie chat room list again?

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  102. Works with Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.239. Danke !

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  103. Have updated my Ad Destroy to remove ads on 8.1.0.244

    :)

    Available at http://shadow-corp.net

    ReplyDelete
  104. Wow, you are the best!!!

    it worked. thanks for help.

    ReplyDelete
  105. it's not a problem at all for me if the chat rooms don't work. i wouldn't recommend using messenger to go to the chats rooms anyway. i use a third-party client, it's much safer.

    ReplyDelete
  106. updated my ad destroy to kill ads in 8.1.0.249 also :)

    ReplyDelete
  107. YES!! THANK YOU. Was eating up a GB of ram. Was driving me nuts. Thank you, thank you and thank you.

    I looked at the .bat file before running it. Exited YM, ran the .bat ...no more YM ads and no more eating all my ram.

    Ken
    www.KenChevy.com

    ReplyDelete
  108. Thank you very much, I sure appreciate being able to get rid of that annoyance, it perhaps wouldnt bother me so much except that it convered my friends up! I have been using a previous version to avoid this problem. Nice to be able to upgrade-Troy

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  109. It doesn't work on Vista 64 bit edition...

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  110. current runnig yahoomessanger for installation

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  111. Still works with the latest 32 bit windows release (8.1.0.401).

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  112. This is great. Now I'd like to figure out how to remove ads from Yahoo mail.

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  113. ie7pro has add and flash blocking :D

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  114. It doesn't work on Vista 32 bit edition...

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  115. Thank you man! good work!

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  116. A much easier and safer way to block Yahoo Messenger advertisements is to open the HOSTS file and block access to "adv.messagia.com".

    adv.messagia.com is the server which Yahoo Messenger gets those annoying advertisements from.

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  117. it really worx .. thanks man ..

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  118. nice,
    even works with 8.1.0.413

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  119. for those running vista and having problems, you might try running this as administrator

    right click -> run as administrator

    make sure the urls.xml file becomes empty!

    ReplyDelete
  120. oh my god i tried so much but it doesnt work for me plz tell me what to do?

    ReplyDelete
  121. Thanks it works on messenger v. 8.0
    & Thank you for sharing also...

    ReplyDelete
  122. Oh Thank you, thank you for that info!!! I have messenger on my work computer and the ads won't run so all day I get this dumb run scripts error http://messenger.yahoo.com/external/client_ad.php?p=409640 if I have yahoo messenger on, and I could not figure out how to get rid of it. Your fix did the trick!

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  123. Thanks a lot it is working also with the latest version

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  124. it's really working, many thanks

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  125. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I have always like Yahoo messenger the best but with the ads I was starting to re-think that. Thanks again ;)

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  126. It still work with Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.419

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  127. Thanks, it killed the annoying ad.

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  128. It works with 8.1.0.419. Thank you for your research and sharing it with the world. You've made my Yahoo experience much better.

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  129. how can i undo this??? - i want my chat rooms back

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  130. Open the .bat file and replace
    "Y Content"="*"
    with
    "Y Content"=""
    and click on the file to execute it.

    Or delete the value "Y Content" from the Registry:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\Pager\YUrl

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  131. It worked great i have my room back but no ads - sweet!

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  132. Works Good with



    8.1.0.421

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  133. YOu can find a simple aplication who make this work on Yahoo! Messenger AD REMOVE.

    Works with 8.1.0.421

    ReplyDelete
  134. Saved it - double clicked on it - launched YM - BINGO... more room for plugins and no more flash shit on my screen..

    Thank you for your work and effert on this - I greatly appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
  135. Worked like a charm! Closed messenger, downloaded the patch, saved it to my desktop, double-clicked it. Done. Reloaded messenger and it works! Thank you!!

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  136. Worked great for me. If all else fails add 127.0.0.1 ad.url.goes.here to your hosts file

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  137. I was putting up with their ads but they have started to populate the BTYahoo home page now which is a subscription service. They refuse to remove so anyway to counter their piracy is good!

    ReplyDelete
  138. *Adding "127.0.0.1 adv.messagia.com" at end of the file in "C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts"

    Also works as suggested by Adam.


    Deleting YUrl from the registry worked. But both only works in the buddylist not chatrooms. Can someone find the rest of HOST domains Yahoo uses?



    In regard to the post above:

    Ionut Alex Chitu said on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 3:00:00 PM PDT:
    Open the .bat file and replace
    "Y Content"="*"
    with
    "Y Content"=""
    and click on the file to execute it.

    Or delete the value "Y Content" from the Registry:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\Pager\YUrl

    ReplyDelete
  139. Fantastic script.
    Thanks very much it works...
    Infact the messenger is working a bit faster than before !!!

    ReplyDelete
  140. I could not get link to open so i could get rid of ads, i think the coments were fake

    ReplyDelete
  141. Great patch with simple command. I managed to remove all those CPU sucking routine!

    Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  142. Working for version 8.1.0.421

    ReplyDelete
  143. Oops sorry,, double post,, Im getting this blog system in THai (I cant read Thai) I cant see any way to change to English. Bit crap really. I guess it's a google problem.

    ReplyDelete
  144. does it work for the latest yahoo messenger 9 beta?

    ReplyDelete
  145. YM 9? Works. Just a little bit triky. I tried in Vista and work. Don't know with others Windows. In YM they more smart. If it smell url.xml is not right, it refuse to login. If it able to login, then your url.xml must be in normal condition. So here is how to do it. First close the YM. Run the noYMAds.bat, make sure it doesn't show any error message. Go to the url.xml, make sure the file is empty and read only. Open the url.xml using 5 or more program. Now run the YM 9. Wait until it login, and about 5 minutes. If in 5 minutes the YM doesn't show ads then you may close the 5 or more earlier program. I use Word 2007, IE, Notepad, Wordpad, One Note, Opera to open url.xml. Why? In vista if you open a file, the OS lock the file, so YM 9 can't modified. Please someone try this in Windows XP? Thx.

    ReplyDelete
  146. This is what I did for urls.xml for Yahoo 9.0 in XP.

    Let the program launch at least once to obtain the correct info for the file then exit. Go to C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\Cache\ and edit the file so that the first two url lines (Messenger Ad and Idle Messenger Ad) are deleted. The other two urls can be left intact. Save your changes and then rightclick the file and choose properties. Admin account may be needed for this part: Check the read only box then go into Security and then Advanced. Uncheck Inherit and Remove all permissions when prompted. Save the changes and click okay when warned that no one other than the owner will have access. Now YIM will launch and not have permission to modify the file, only read it.

    ReplyDelete
  147. Yahoo! Messenger AD-REMOVER by BOGDAN is working but,

    NOW MY HEADPHONE ICON IN STATUS IF I PLAYING SONG WITH WINAMP IS MISSING!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  148. this works with 8.1.0.421. period.

    ReplyDelete
  149. Excellent. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  150. the registry hack of HKCU\Sofware\Yahoo\Messenger\Pager with Yahoo Messenger Ad set of 0 does not work

    but the EXE hexa hack works!

    Windows Vista 32-bit with YIM 9 Beta

    ReplyDelete
  151. Ran the exe on 8.1.0.421 on XP64 (stop laughing) and now I can actually start work again! Still seems to be some ads, but down to tiny CPU usage.

    If Yahoo beat it, I will just have to convince my friends and family to switch to the open source alternative...

    I don't have a problem with Yahoo trying to make some money, but my company wants to do the same - shich it can't if my computer is tied up with ridiculous ads in the background

    ReplyDelete
  152. Yup...does fine with YM 8.1.0.413 (WINXPSP2). Seems these enries are "created" rather than being modified, since i tried to do it manually in regedit, but could not find these keys on that location.

    anyways thnx!

    ReplyDelete
  153. Thanks!!! :D it really works...

    ReplyDelete
  154. For Windows Vista x32:

    remove the urls.xml from it's location and create a new empty directory with the same name (urls.xml) in the same location:
    C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\Cache

    For me worked for Vista Home x32.

    ReplyDelete
  155. To avoid these headaches, I started using Pidgin (previously known as Gaim). So much happier!!

    http://pidgin.im/

    ReplyDelete
  156. Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.421

    - HOW TO REMOVE AD BANNER -

    Browse the REGISTRY at the following address:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\pager\Locale

    Modify Enable Messenger Ad value to 0 (zero)

    and your Ad zone will be white !!!

    ReplyDelete
  157. ossboss007 suggestion really works! tnx!

    ReplyDelete
  158. thats is a good idea.....
    and I have a question for you... how make I a "tell a friend" script... witch use some command to send a message in YMS... ?

    ReplyDelete
  159. I tried Ossboss's tip and still have adds in 8.1.0.421

    ReplyDelete
  160. Sorry about not posting in a while

    I have build a .NET version of my Ad Destroy

    available on my site :)

    It should work on x32 and x64 vista

    You should run it as administrator

    Ad Destroy .NET beta and Ad Destroy 3.7 will patch all 3 9.0 beta builds

    9.0.0.797
    9.0.0.907
    9.0.0.922

    9.0 messenger trys to actively turn off read only on the urls.xml file.

    Ad destroy will stop messenger doing that :)

    People who are having problems with ads still showing from your ISP, just enter 0 in the custom registry field instead of *

    Have fun!

    Dermot
    http://shadow-corp.net/smf/index.php

    ReplyDelete
  161. Hallo, klappt prima auch bei der Deutschen Yahoo Version.

    Works fine also with the actual German Version.

    ReplyDelete
  162. and this make it so you can chat on yahoo rooms?

    ReplyDelete
  163. I'm not sure, but I think this disables "Audibles" also.

    ReplyDelete
  164. it disables radio (audio) ads too <:-P

    ReplyDelete
  165. thanks very much for the birlliant tweak !

    ReplyDelete
  166. it wont let me change it it just keeps flashing read only at the bottom when i try to do anything

    ReplyDelete
  167. umm just tried this patch with version 8.1.0.421. does NOT work...

    also hex editor information is USELESS as there is nothing that says ymsngrads its all wierd characters

    ReplyDelete
  168. It also works on Yahoo! Messenger 9.0.0.922

    ReplyDelete
  169. I downloaded and ran the bat file, and it does not work for me. I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium as my OS, and have Yahoo Messenger, ver 8.1.0.421 installed. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  170. If it doesn't work you, there's a problem with permissions. Go to C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\Cache, open urls.xml in a text editor and remove all its content.

    ReplyDelete
  171. Every time the ad changes, Yahoo! Messenger steals focus from other applications. maybe this will help to prevent it, I haven't tried yet...

    ReplyDelete
  172. Works on 8.1.0.421. Using Alex's suggestion of Y Content = "" instead of "*", chat rooms also work (but do display ads).

    ReplyDelete
  173. Correction: no ads in chat rooms, I spoke too soon. The only ad is the interstitial page in the browser.

    ReplyDelete
  174. i think Yahoo GUYZ saw this post too and it doesnt work! because an update it is .922 -BETA

    ReplyDelete
  175. Hex edit doesn't remove ads in 9.0.0.922 :(

    ReplyDelete
  176. yahoo rooms won't work properly if u will use such patches

    try trillion pro

    ReplyDelete
  177. Anonymous said on March 27, 2008 11:17 AM PDT:
    umm just tried this patch with version 8.1.0.421. does NOT work...


    I just tried it on 8.1.0.421 and worked instantly. Went from using 48MB RAM to 31MB RAM in Task Manager.

    Great job of the .bat file!

    Thanks,

    Ken

    ReplyDelete
  178. FWIW, I use the TweakUI-XP option to prevent programs from stealing focus, but Yahoo Messenger still overrides it every time it loads and signs me in. My work-around is to open TUI-XP after I am signed in to Y-M to reset the focus option It seems to stick thereafter.

    ReplyDelete
  179. If your using the .922 beta this is all you need to do. Close messenger. Open regedit and go to following..

    HKE_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\Pager\Locale\

    Close regedit and hit F5 at desktop to refresh. Start yahoo and the ad is gone.

    ReplyDelete
  180. One good way to force urls.xml to stay empty (newer versions seem to sometimes undo making it read only) is to delete the file and replace it with a directory of the same name.

    ReplyDelete
  181. I'm running Yahoo messenger 8.1 on vista 32 -bit. The post say go to cache file. Mine is empty. The batch file I downloaded from the instructions, all it does is flash the command prompt. Don't act like it does anything??? Please tell me how to do it. E-mail me at reddsoxchamps@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  182. Thanks so very much , hhaving ads was really annoying ,it does still working !!!

    ReplyDelete
  183. To remove and disable ads display on Yahoo Messenger 9, follow the trick below:

    1.Run Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
    2.Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Yahoo\pager\Locale
    3.In the right pane, locate a value named Enable Messenger 4.Ad with default value as 1. Set the value to 0.
    5.Restart Yahoo! Messenger 9.0.

    The ads will be disappeared from Yahoo Messenger after restarting.

    ReplyDelete
  184. works like a charm! thanks! - pornoid

    ReplyDelete
  185. the batch file worked for me. thanks

    ReplyDelete
  186. Perfect for YM-9.0.0.1389-BETA. Thanks. -K

    ReplyDelete
  187. For every one with Vista 64bit, it's likely to be installed in Program Files (x86) folder. Edit the noYMads2.bat file with Notepad before execute it.

    Add these 3 line at the end of noYMad2.bat

    ATTRIB -R "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Yahoo!\Messenger\Cache\urls.xml"
    ECHO "" >"%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Yahoo!\Messenger\Cache\urls.xml"
    ATTRIB +R "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Yahoo!\Messenger\Cache\urls.xml"

    ReplyDelete
  188. It works on the Beta 9. Thank you, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  189. Thanks, no more adds now!:)

    ReplyDelete
  190. WORK WITH 9.0.0.1389! THANKS!

    ReplyDelete
  191. it works for 9 Beta too thanks.... :D

    ReplyDelete
  192. yes, it works on yahoo 9. thanks a lot

    ReplyDelete
  193. I cant seem to get this to work. I did everything, and that damn ad banner still shows up. Im on 9 beta. Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
  194. cant join Chat Room after patch....

    ReplyDelete

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