I installed MSN Messenger, but uninstalled it because I didn't like it.

But now when I start my computer and I get to the Windows log-in screen, beneath my name it says how many unopened Hotmails I have.

This is before I have even signed into my User Account, let alone signed into Hotmail.

How can I get rid of this?

To clear unread e-mail counter, go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ UnreadMail \ <Account> \ MessageCount and set Data value to 0x00000000 (0)


To remove all unread e-mail counter messages from Welcome logon screen, go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ UnreadMail \ MessageExpiryDays and set Data value to 0x00000000 (0) [0 = Disabled / 1 = 1 day / ... / 3 = 3 days (default setting)]

If the key does not exist, create a new entry, i.e., MessageExpiryDays REG_DWORD 0x00000000 (0)


I don't know if there's a way to stop the message for just the Hotmail account.

Thanks, Glenn.

I'm a bit of a novice with the registry. Can you you talk me through how I do it?

Thanks again!

go to Start > Run > type in "regedit" and then navigate to the key. it should be pretty easy to do.

Thanks mate.

You've probably done this already but, when you navigate to the key, just doublclick it and you'll get a edit window. See screen shots:
[attachmentid=1120] [attachmentid=1121]

I've actually deleted the whole "UnreadMail" entry - was that safe to do?

If you don't have any e-mail accounts to automatically download into your client (Outlook or other), it's probably harmless.

If you experience any difficulties, you can just recreate the key and the two values shown in my screenshot. Subkeys for accounts will automatically be created when you set up your e-mail client (actually the whole UnreadMail key would probably be created).

Feel free to PM me if you need any help.