Here is a Quick tutorial on creating your very own Windows Live Messenger Skin!
Getting Started
Before we get started, make sure you have Resource Hacker. Also make sure you backup the original “msgsres.dll” file, in case things don’t work out the way you want them to.
Open up Resource Hacker and click ?File > Open > C:/ > Program Files > MSN Messenger > msgsres.dll?. The drive letter may differ depending how your hard drive is setup.
All the images we will be replacing are in the ?4000? section. Go ahead and click the text that says ?4000?. A branch of separate files should open, and most of them are the image files we will be replacing.
Common Image Reference
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235 threw 254 – Default display pictures
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329 – Color picker icon
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410 – Conversation screen background picker icon
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411 – Conversation screen text changer icon
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412 – Conversation screen emoticon picker icon
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413 – Conversation screen ?Gift?/pack icon
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414 – Conversation screen Buzzer/Nudger icon
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639 – Contact list header background/border (where your DP/Name/PSM is located)
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682 – Contact list ?Windows Live Messenger? logo
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1131 – Contact list add contact logo
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20057 – Contact list header background image
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20055 – Vapor image
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20066 – Windows Live Messenger ?Windows? logo
Making a replacement image
This part is pretty easy. You will need an image editor. We will be using Paint.NET for this example simply because its free. Using your image editor create a new logo for Windows Live Messenger. When you save it, save it with the same name as the image resource you are replacing. For example, since we are replacing the logo, We need to save it as 682.png.
Replacing the image
Next we go into Resource Hacker and click: ?Action > Replace Other Resource…?
Then, enter the following information:
If you are going to replace a different image than the logo, enter it?s resource number [refer to ?Common Image Reference?]. Press ?Replace?. Your image has now replaced the default .RLE! Now, save your msgsres.dll by going to ?File > Save?.
Open Windows Live Messenger to see your changes! Made something that looks nice? Share your creation with us (post it in the comments).
Credits to Adam for sharing the tutorial.
12 Comments so far
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Goofy February 21st, 2007 at 6:06 am
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Can you tell me where can I download free WLM skin?
AGUNN!! April 16th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
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you can go to http://www.mess.be or mgshit.com there they have Messenger skins available for free download
yo mamma May 19th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
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i dont get it ..
t-j August 13th, 2007 at 10:42 am
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:grin: :grin: :grin:
>>>Shadow August 13th, 2007 at 11:37 am
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I try to do this but I dont understand so good
Requiem October 10th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
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Hey, I understand and am working on some, but I need more references to the numbers, like which represents the contact list background?
Kane November 12th, 2007 at 12:29 am
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hey, i figured this out abit, but i cant seem to change the contact list background to a certain image…..which reference number is it?
by the way, nice tutorial
Kane November 12th, 2007 at 1:27 am
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it definately needs more reference numbers and etc…..
Frediv?zquez January 23rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
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hey man, i think you should make this tutorial a little more “basic” if you get what i mean. it’s too hard for most people to use this tool, and stuff.
thanx anyway
Problem March 25th, 2008 at 12:31 am
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it wont let me save it.
i changed the
20057 – Contact list header background image
exactly the way you explained and it came up with a message that said:
Cannot create file C:\Program Files …etc.
Have any ideas of how it will work?
:o May 18th, 2008 at 11:41 am
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umm..yeah i need the number for the contact list header backround image too.
Vasyu August 8th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
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G1vijn Vasyu testit vasyu.net