Associated .SQM software

Windows

Microsoft Office
Windows Live MSN Messenger
Windows Media Player

Tools

SQM file extension

Microsoft Service Quality Monitor File

Run a free instant scan for .SQM file errors

.SQM files are created by a number of Microsoft applications, most commonly Windows Live Messenger (previously known as MSN).

According to Microsoft, SQM files (standing for Software Quality Metrics) are used as part of their "Microsoft Customer Experience Program" and help improve their products by anonymously monitoring usage habits and reporting software errors/bugs.

To stop these files being created, you will need to disable the option in Windows Live Messenger.

You can do this through the options menu, selecting the help section, selecting 'Customer Experience Improvement Program' and then ticking the 'I don't want to participate right now' box and pressing OK.

.SQM files are NOT viruses and do not contain spyware/malware and do not contain any personal information.

SQM files have a naming convention such as "sqmnoopt00.sqm". They are normally found in the root folder of your hard-drive (C:) and more recently, the "Documents and settings/Application Data/Microsoft/MSN Messenger/" folder.

Dot What!? visitors have found that deleting SQM files is safe. Although probably true, we advise you to backup the files first.

Run a free instant scan for SQM file errors

Additional .SQM information

Author:	Microsoft
Type:	Miscellaneous
MIME type(s):

Page options

Other .SQM file extensions

.SQM - Operation Flashpoint Mission File (OFP)

Related links

Windows Live Messenger

Visitor comments

Phil

2007-04-11 15:45:39

Thank you. I thought this was some kind of virus. Should I risk deleting these files?

Jay

ADMIN

2007-04-19 15:43:54

Hi Phil,

Firstly, I'd make a backup of the files. Then disable the 'Customer Experience Improvement Program' option as detailed above before deleting the files.

Michael J

2007-05-11 16:56:35

Hello,

Can you explain more details as where to turn off that CEIP option? Did you mean Windows Live Messenger menu or somewhere in MSN home page?

CANKUWIN

2007-07-21 10:27:14

If you haven't found the Customer Improvement Program option it is in the Windows Live Messenger..Tools..Options..General
Hope that helps.

Bev

2007-07-24 20:02:15

Just wanted to know how to open these files; would like to know what they say before I save/backup or delete. Messenger creates them but what are they for?

Jay

ADMIN

2007-08-31 17:29:12

Hi Bev,

Sorry for the delay. The SQM files that I have on my computer seem to be encrypted so I'm pretty sure that's how they'll all be.

After doing some research, they don't hold any personal data - only usage information and bug reporting details for Microsoft products.

Hope this help :)

Anne

2007-12-03 08:44:22

I get about 20 of these files a day, have done the above and the box is not ticked. Where else can I look, as these have only started appearing in the last couple of weeks, and, as far as I know, I haven't made any changes.

janene

2008-01-03 19:16:21

One quick question hope someone can help. Does sqm keep conversations.. if so how can i open them.. make a long story short. My daughter is being harrassed on msn by an ex boyfriend, yesterday he contacted her thru msn i was wondering if i could get that convo back thru sqm.. she does not have save messages on so i cannot find them thru that?

genevieve

2008-01-10 02:27:36

to janene: don't know if sqm keep conversations. you can choose to save conversations by using "msn plus"

Charlie

2008-02-14 15:06:17

Thanks, this was very helpful. I checked some other sites first but this info was really what I was looking for.

I have never had any of the games from the Operation Flashpoint game series on my computer but have had msn live messenger for quite a long time. I made a search and found 339 .sqm files on my C: hard drive (there are 4 people using msn on this computer). Most of them were in the msn folder. But I found another folder with .sqm files in it: /Windows Live OneCare safety scanner/ is this about the Customer Experience Improvement Program? sorry for making my cmt so long but I just wondered...hope It doesn't disturb you.

Thanks again for all your help.

4U5Tt-0ATE

2008-03-05 06:52:17

"I get about 20 of these files a day, have done the above and the box is not ticked. Where else can I look, as these have only started appearing in the last couple of weeks, and, as far as I know, I haven't made any changes."

CEIP Files could well be made in other Microsoft Apps such as Office, or Games; even by the .Net Passport as that too is linked in with the MSN Program.

Mike

2008-03-25 20:00:45

I have a Vodafone data card as my internet service provider and it keeps adding wmplog00.sqm files in the User - Local Settings - Temp folder, possibly to monitor my usage.

I keep a shortcut to this folder and delete them every day. The first time I kept copies but there is no need. My card thinks I have a 50Mb monthly limit, so it may just be monitoring this, whereas I actually signed up for unlimited with 3GB a month "fair usage".

Ideally I would like to be able to open these files and see what is in them. Are they counting bits or Bytes, or do they record which sites I visit?

Mike

2008-03-25 20:37:49

A bit of further work on my wmplog00.sqm wmplog01.sqm etc files shows that they are added by Windows Media Player at the termination of every session of video viewing via the internet. For example if I watch NASA TV in normal mode there is no sqm file added but if I watch using the full screen Windows Media Player option I can see the next sqm file pop up just after I terminate the viewing session.

luis

2008-04-19 20:57:41

i installed uniblue registrybooster 2 in order to check the sqm extension files but i'd like to know if i can uninstall it and have my laptop safe. i also like to know if there's any risk if i don't backup these files

thanks in advance for the help you can give me

Oliver

2008-05-31 10:13:13

Hi All,

I Don't have Microsoft Office, Windows Live MSN Messenger, or Operation Flashpoint Mission File (OFP) but in my Temp folder i have all days some SQM files??????????

like wmplog00.sqm or wmplog01.sqm and and and....

Can some one tell me why i have this files every day??????

THX

Mike

2008-06-03 18:24:45

wmplog00.sqm etc are added by Windows Media Player when you use it to listen to or view internet sites

Jean

2008-06-16 12:10:13

I have these sqm files and when I try to delete them it just keeps adding copies. What am I doing wrong? I would like to clean up my hard drive and get rid of unnecessary files.

2008-07-29 22:02:44

START>PROGRAMS>WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER>Click on the down arrow for LAYOUT OPTIONS & Make sure there is a Checkmark Next to "Show Classic Menus". Then, TOOLS>OPTIONS>PRIVACY>WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM>Remove checkmark next to "I want to help..."

criscelle

2008-10-07 14:13:18

i just had my new laptop and after a few days of using it, i noticed some sqm files added in my C: everyday (By the way, i don't use MSN but i use YAHOO MESSENGER).i already downloaded uniblue registry 2009, but im wondering if there would be changes in my computer settings after i use it. or is it safe to just simply delete those sqm files?
pls help...
thank you

hpum

2008-10-24 17:36:25

I cannot run live messenger any longer as I receive an error "an application failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling the application may fix the problem".

In this case may I delete all .sqm files in the root folder of C:?

Bigal

2009-01-02 14:36:42

Thanks Me. I don't use MSN so the sqm files which have recently appeared may well have come in with WMP. I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks again.

Mike

2009-01-03 10:41:30

Thanks for the way to disable the customer experience program, most helpful. On my new netbook the temp folder is hidden and I had to search hidden files and folders to find the .sqm files and delete them.

Ann

2009-01-15 08:13:14

I don't use msn or Windows Live Messenger so Why am I getting them?

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