You can easily remove the MSN Messenger buttons to the left of your contact list (they're called Tabs) without the need of a patch. JP sent us these step-by-step instructions:

1) Go to Tools (Extra on the Dutch version)
2) Then Options
3) Click the Privacy tab
4) Then tick "This is a shared computer so don't display my Tabs" and press OK.
5) Press OK again to save the changes you made.
6) Sign out and in of MSN Messenger again!

With Windows Live Messenger 8.0.0562 or above:

1) Go to Tools (Extra on the Dutch version)
2) Then Options
3) Click Tabs in the left column.
4) Check the box that says Hide tabs.
5) Press OK (or Apply).