unable to log into Microsoft Windows Essentials (Windows 7 Ultimate x64)

On My Windows 7 Ultimate x64 machine, I downloaded and installed Windows Essentials. when I go to run ANY program in the suite, Windows Essentials is telling me that I must login to live messenger in order to use Microsoft Essentials, but immediately and every time I try to log into live messenger, I get an error message "A newer version is available. you must install the newer version in order to continue" and I click, "yes" and it downloads the newer version, and when I try to install the newer version, it says, "You already have the latest version of Skype" so I try to log in and it gives the same "A newer version is available. you must install the newer version in order to continue" ,message and the same download window and the same "You already have the latest version of Skype" message, and repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat,repeat, repeat, repeat,repeat, repeat, repeat,repeat, repeat, repeat, to infinity and beyond. it's not possible to use Windows Essentials. it says I MUST log in in order to use the Photo Gallery or any other feature in the package but I am STUCK in this "not up to date" "already have the latest version" endless loop