In respond to big number of search queries that come to my site finding a solution to backup their emoticons in Windows Live Messenger. Perhaps it good if I write what I did when I need to backup emoticons. There are a lot of guide if you use right keyword.
For Windows XP with MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger I usually did it in manual way. Go to “C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\MSN Messenger“. Be sure that Windows Explorer is set to show hidden content. If you have several Messenger accounts you may get confuse because it use id instead of email account. With this you need to find out by yourself which one is an account you want to backup and then emos is deposited in “ObjectStore\CustomEmoticons“. Otherwise take them all.
There is a number of useful tools available on Internet. You may use some search engine to find them. Among these there are two small applications that good and easy too use: MSN Backup 2.0 and MSN Backup V1.3.1. I suggest for the second, it just update on Jan 1st with WLM 8.1 support. The guide are also available on both sites.
If you live on Windows Vista, those applications may not work. So what I did with Windows Vista and Windows Live Messenger 8.1 is:
- Backup Emoticons
- Go to “C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft“.
- copy folder “Messenger” and past it where you want (may be in temporarily folder in other drive or Flash drive)
- Transfer Windows Live Messenger setting
- Click Start and type “Windows Easy Transfer” in Search and enter.
- After you click Next, Click on Start a new transfer –> My Old Computer –> Select a method you want to transfer (I prefer CD/DVD and then later you may select Flash Drive) –> Click on Advanced Option –> under your account select Application setting and the Windows Live Messenger.

I have win Xp and latest version of windows live messenger. I try to manually back up emoticons, find the path as you described, make available to show hidden files, but directory “CustomEmoticons” for my account is empty in my case.
I had the same problem. I found an interest utility that helps me do this called Icon Backup. It’s website is http://www.iconbackup.com.. downside is that it costs $5.. but for non-techies like me, its great.
Thank you Edward for recommendation :D.
Well, instead of paying $5, you can try another app called Backup Wizard, its free…
scroll down this page to download it:
http://www.sherv.net/
actually, here is a direct link to the programs page
http://www.sherv.net/article141.html
Thiw is very good too:
Free,
No installation required,
No adware. No spyware,
It is very good!!
http://concon.awardspace.com/enretfeat.html
well Srdjan you may be in other users acount!! i suggest U 2 check’t
The location of where the custom emoticons can be found is incorrect.
It should be something like “\documents and settings\*your_name*\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Messenger\*your email*\ObjectStore”
the one you listed leads to a ‘blank’