TFS Error: Windows Live Messenger is not running.

Well, yes that is a message I’ve got recently. Actually this message comes in two variations:

When Windows Live Messenger process does not exists and I try to open a Team Explorer:

When Windows Live Messenger process is active and I try to open Team Explorer:

Here can be found great description of the problem by Stuart Preston. Briefly, the problem is with Power Tools for TFS that tries to look for registry value that does not exists.

Stuart’s solution contain step of windows registry changes, since I don’t like to change registries I’m not familiar with, I would like to propose another solution:

After Installing power tool for TFS – new node can be found in a Team Explorer called “Team Members”. Right click, select “Personal Settings” shows this window

In a “Collaboration” group box click on “Change” button gives an option to change Provider to “None” this way Power Tools will not search for Windows Live Messenger on next load.

Enjoy.