MSN Messenger Emoticons

google tells me they're either stored on your account at msn or you need software to back them up

thx Bichur...you always come thru for me....I can assure you from past experiences reformatting or 'restoring' that the emoticons are definitely stored on the hard-drive as after 'cleaning house' + reinstalling on a freshly 'restored' C drive there is no trace left behind of the emoticons' as advised when initializing the 'restore disc' that 'all data on C will be destroyed, do you wish to continue'....the .gif's are obviously stored in a format that I am unaccustomed to seeing + not sure how MSN transcribes them back for use on Messenger...bottom line from what you are advising is make good + sure a 'restore' isn't done again or 'do without'....from what I can see on-line with Google for software to back-up Messenger add-ons, it seems too much of a security risk to provide my MSN account info to the installer...frankly my lap is in perfect working order w no 'junk' hidden in programs or documents + settings + everything is in tip top working condition...I was concerned down the road when I upgrade systems / O/S's that I will not be able to place them on the new O/S but as mentioned, if those apps are developed by phishers + hackers, saving the MSN add-ons is simply not worth it....thx for your feedback just the same...nice to know there is always someone on Win who will offer an informed opinion