Windows Messenger

Not to be confused with Windows Live Messenger or Windows Messenger service.

Windows Messenger is a discontinued instant messaging client included in Windows XP.^[1][4] Designed for use by both corporate and home users, it was originally created, in 2001, as a streamlined and integrated version of MSN Messenger.^[5] It was upgraded several times when it was made available for Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003.^[6] Since then, its development stopped.^[3][7] It was superseded by Windows Live Messenger and Microsoft Lync.^[8][9]

Windows Messenger

A conversation in Windows Messenger 4.7.2009, with sidebar and toolbar enabled.
Developer(s)	Microsoft
Initial release	October 22, 2001; 23 years ago (October 22, 2001)[1][2]
Stable release	5.1.0715 / August 12, 2008; 16 years ago (August 12, 2008)[3]
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Successor	Windows Live Messenger
Website	microsoft.com/windows/messenger (archived pages link August 2003)

Overview

Windows Messenger was introduced in Windows XP on October 22, 2001.^{[1][5][10][11]} It is enabled by default.^[12] Its features include instant messaging, presence awareness, support for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), file transfer, application sharing and whiteboarding.^[2] Later versions added "ink" support and integration with Microsoft Lync Server (formerly Microsoft Office Communications Server). Windows Messenger's user interface is devoid of the clutter seen in Windows Live Messenger. Winks, nudges, and custom emoticons are unavailable, and the main user interface more closely resembles the standard Windows XP Luna style.^[13]

Windows Messenger integrates with Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Remote Assistance and Windows Media Center in Windows XP. Windows Messenger can communicate with the Exchange Server 2000's Instant Messaging Service and Microsoft Messenger Service. Interoperability with third-party software is exposed through a COM API called the Real Time Communications (RTC) Client API.

Development of Windows Messenger was halted after version 5.1 in favor of Windows Live Messenger and Microsoft Lync.^[3][7][8][9]

See also

• Comparison of cross-platform instant messaging clients
• Comparison of instant messaging protocols

References

1. "Messenger now officially available for Windows XP". Neowin. October 22, 2001. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
2. ".NET Messenger Service - Features". October 28, 2001. Archived from the original on October 28, 2001. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
3. "How to obtain the latest version of Windows Messenger 5.1". August 12, 2008. Archived from the original on August 2, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
4. "Windows XP launched in three editions". afaqs!. October 27, 2001. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
5. "Microsoft has a new message for Win XP". ZDNet. October 11, 2001. Retrieved August 12, 2020.
6. "Get Windows Messenger 5.0". Microsoft. October 2, 2003. Archived from the original on October 2, 2003. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
7. "Microsoft Security Bulletin MS05-009 - Critical". docs.microsoft.com. February 8, 2005. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
8. "MSFT Annual Report 2006". www.microsoft.com. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
9. "Microsoft Previews New Windows Live and Office Live Services". Stories. November 1, 2005. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
10. "CNN.com - Sci-Tech - Microsoft to embed Messenger in Windows XP". edition.cnn.com. June 8, 2001. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
11. "Windows Messenger Update for Windows XP to Enable Consumers To Make PC-to-Phone Calls". Stories. October 11, 2001. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
12. "Disable/Uninstall Windows Messenger in Windows XP – Smallvoid.com". October 12, 2002. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
13. "Windows Messenger Tweaked for XP Launch". BetaNews. October 12, 2001. Retrieved August 14, 2020.

Further reading

• "How to obtain the latest version of Windows Messenger 5.1". Support (4.0 ed.). Microsoft. August 12, 2008. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
• "How to prevent Windows Messenger from running on a Windows XP-based computer". Support (9.0 ed.). Microsoft. July 2, 2010. Archived from the original on July 24, 2010.
• "Windows Messenger 5.1: Windows Messenger vs MSN Messenger: What's the Difference?". Download Center. Microsoft. April 5, 2005. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012.