Windows Live Messenger

Windows Live Messenger includes support for the im Initiative! Every time you start a conversation using im, Microsoft shares a portion of the program's advertising revenue with some of the world's most effective organizations dedicated to social causes.

⚠️ Note: This product is not developed anymore and might not function properly.

If you are looking for alternatives, we recommend you to download Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram.

Windows Live Messenger, formerly known as MSN Messenger, was an instant messaging client developed by Microsoft. It was one of the most popular instant messaging applications during its peak popularity in the early 2000s. It allowed users to connect with friends and family, exchange messages, share files, and engage in audio and video calls.

So any time you have an im conversation using WLM, you help address the issues you feel most passionate about. It's simple. All you have to do is join and start an instant messaging conversation.

Highlights

Build your list of friends
You'll have plenty of friends to chat with in Messenger before you know it. Import friends from other services like Facebook, Gmail, or LinkedIn. No need to re-create your contact list.

Let your personality shine
Personalize Messenger with a photo and background theme that reflects your unique style, and badges that display causes that are important to you. Happy? Grumpy? Excited? Express your moods with emoticons.

Share and play while you chat
Liven up your chats by sharing photos, watching videos, or playing Messenger games together. Be sure to post your scores.

Chat from Hotmail
Sign in to Messenger right from your Hotmail inbox and chat with your friends. You can even have multiple chats going at once.

Chat with Facebook friends
See who's online and enjoy all the rich features of chatting in Messenger. From your Messenger window, you can chat with Facebook friends, see their updates, update your status, and post comments. Share photos and links with your status updates.

Share baby's first steps
Now Grandma doesn’t need to miss a thing—just start a video call and share your photos and videos in real-time. That’s family memories the Messenger way.

Leave a video message
Why send a birthday card when you can leave a video message? If your friend is away from their PC, you can record and send a video message. That way they hear from you live—singing happy birthday is up to you!

Main Features

Instant Messaging: Users could send text messages in real-time to their contacts.

File Sharing: The ability to send and receive files, such as photos and documents, made it convenient for users to share media with their contacts.

Video Calls: It supported video calls, enabling face-to-face conversations with friends and family.

Voice Calls: Users could also make voice calls to their contacts over the internet.

Status Updates: Users could set custom status messages to let their contacts know what they were up to.

Emoticons and Winks: The application featured a variety of emoticons and winks to add fun and expressiveness to conversations.

Integration with Other Microsoft Services: It was integrated with other Microsoft services like Hotmail (now Outlook.com) and Xbox Live.

User Interface

The user interface of the app was user-friendly and intuitive. It featured a contact list on the left side of the window, where users could see the online status of their contacts. The chat window on the right allowed for easy communication, and users could customize their profile pictures and display names.

How to Use

Sign In: Launch the application and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Add Contacts: Click on the "Add a contact" button to add friends and family to your contact list.

Start Conversations: Double-click on a contact's name to open a chat window and start a conversation.

Emoticons and Winks: Enhance your conversations with emoticons and winks, which could be accessed from the chat window.

Audio and Video Calls: Click on a contact's name and select the option to initiate an audio or video call.

FAQ

Is Windows Live Messenger still available?
It was officially discontinued in 2013, and its services were merged into Skype.

Can I still use Windows Live Messenger on my PC?
No, you cannot use the original application anymore. It has been replaced by Skype and other messaging platforms.

Is there a modern alternative to Windows Live Messenger?
Yes, there are many modern instant messaging apps available, including Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and more.

Can I retrieve my old Windows Live Messenger chat history?
Microsoft provided a way to download chat history from the program before its discontinuation, but this feature may no longer be available.

What happened to my Windows Live Messenger contacts?
Your Windows Live Messenger contacts were migrated to Skype if you chose to do so when prompted during the transition period.

Alternatives

Skype: Microsoft's own Skype is a popular instant messaging and video calling platform.

Zoom: Online Meetings, Marketing, Conference, Training & Support Software!

WhatsApp: A widely used messaging app with end-to-end encryption.

Discord: Known for its robust voice and text communication for gamers but used by many for general chat as well.

Telegram: A secure messaging app with a focus on privacy and cloud-based storage.

Signal: Say "hello" to a different messaging experience for your PC!

System Requirements

The system requirements for Windows Live Messenger varied depending on the version, but generally, it was compatible with Windows operating systems.

PROS

• User-friendly interface.
• Integration with other Microsoft services.
• Fun emoticons and winks.
• Video and voice call support.

CONS

• Discontinued and no longer available.
• Contacts and chat history were migrated to Skype, which may or may not be desirable for all users.

Conclusion

Windows Live Messenger was a beloved instant messaging application that played a significant role in the early days of online communication. However, it has been discontinued for several years, and Microsoft has transitioned its user base to other platforms like Skype.

While it may hold nostalgic value for some users, there are plenty of modern alternatives available today that offer similar, if not better, features and security. If you're looking for a messaging app, you might want to explore the many options available that cater to your specific needs, whether it's for personal, business, or social communication.

Note: Microsoft has retired Messenger. Your contacts will come with you when you update to Skype.