This article explains how to delete online message archives in Yahoo! Messenger 11 and 11.5.

How to delete your Conversation History in Messenger 11:

1. In the Messenger contact list, click Messenger | Preferences. Your Yahoo! Messenger Preferences will open in a new window.
2. Click Conversation History from the list.
3. Click the View Conversation History button. Your Conversation History will open in another window.
4. From the "Conversation History" window,  choose the type of conversation history you would like to delete from the View All drop down.
5. Check the boxes next to the Message or Call you would like to delete. You may select more than one at a time.
6. At the top of the "Conversation History" window, click on Actions | Delete.
7. Each time, before a conversation is permanently deleted, Yahoo! Messenger will ask for a confirmation. If you are sure you want to permanently delete the archive, click Delete.

To delete a specific conversation in Messenger 11.5:

1. In the Messenger contact list, click Contacts | Conversation History.
   - Your "Conversation History" will open in a new window.
2. From the "Conversation History" window, choose the type of conversation history you would like to delete from the View All drop down menu.
3. Roll your mouse cursor over the conversation you would like to delete.
   - At the top right corner of the conversation, three buttons will appear.
4. Click the trash icon.
5. Yahoo! Messenger will ask for a confirmation: If you are sure you want to permanently delete the conversation, click Delete.

To delete the entire conversation history for one contact in Messenger 11.5:

1. In the Messenger contact list, click Contacts | Conversation History.
   - Your "Conversation History" will open in a new window.
2. From the "Conversation History" window, choose the type of conversation history you would like to delete from the View All drop down menu.
3. Click the Delete Entire History button (a paper / trash can icon).
4. Yahoo! Messenger will ask for a confirmation: If you are sure you want to permanently delete the archive, click Delete.

Note: It may be possible to restore deleted messages within a specific period of time. This can be started by filling out the Yahoo! Mail/Messenger Restore Help Form.

Use Yahoo! Mail as an alternate option:

If, for any reason, you are unable to delete the archives through Messenger, you may also delete them by accessing Yahoo! Mail.

1. Sign in to Yahoo! Mail.
2. Go to the Conversations box in the Yahoo! Mail page.
3. Select the check boxes for corresponding conversations which you'd like to delete.
4. Click Delete.
5. Click OK.