How to extract animated custom emoticons from MSN Messenger? I guess some of you already know this, but here is a simple solution:

Prerequisite:
- You need to enable hidden files/folders viewing and disable hidden extensions for known file type.
- If you haven't done so, simply go to My Computer->Tools->Folder Options



- Enable the Show hidden files and folders option and uncheck the Hide extensions for known file types option. Click Ok.


Steps:
- Browse to C:\Documents and Settings\<your login name>\Application Data\Microsoft\MSN Messenger


- You should be able to see two folders. Ignore the 0 folder and open another one (If you are using more than one accounts than you should be able to see more than 2 folders)



- Browse into CustomEmoticons folders, you should be able to see some .dat files (If you have custom emoticons). Copy all of them to somewhere else (say c:\emoticons) except map.dat



- Go to the location where the copied files are located, and rename all the .dat to .gif (assuming all emoticons are in gif)



- Done!


Remarks: The guide is for those who are using Windows 2000/XP

Display pictures can be found in "UserTile" folder, you can rename the file to .jpg/.png/.gif

Background files can be found in "Backgrounds" folder

Just do it in MSN messenger main program -> create emoticons option

Stay away from it
This program is fully bundled with spyware.