UPDATE: When receiving a file, using the simple “cmd.exe” causes the command prompt to show. To get around this, use the /c “exit”. This will simply execute the exit command and continue, causing a command prompt to flash quickly:

cmd.exe /c “exit”

The boffins who build MSN Messenger decided a few revisions ago to introduce a security check into messenger that doesn’t allow you to send files such as zips to other contacts unless you have antivirus installed. It’s a nice feature to stop 12yr old girls from sending around, but it’s quite annoying if you’re running an OS like Windows 7 with UAC on because the need for antivirus software is only as great as your stupidity for accepting crappy files. In fact, I have been antivirus free on my laptop for the past year just because I don’t see the need for it when UAC is on and simple precautions are taken.

Anyway, I tried to send a valid zip to my colleague today and got the little warning.

Of course, I can’t continue because I don’t have antivirus installed. Or can I…?

I clicked Options and got my File Transfer settings.

Then thought, what would happen if I just told Messenger to use any old app, like say cmd.exe, as my scanner…

Try again…

w00t! 🙂