Microsoft to Kill Messenger on 8th April (New Date)

[xxMATTGxx]

Note: This is not old in terms of the previous threads about WLM being replaced by Skype. The actual WLM service is being killed and forcing users to use the Skype application instead.

I just thought this needed posted as I know a lot of people on this forum still use Windows Live Messenger (MSN) instead of Skype. Very soon you will have to move over to Skype or not use it altogether. I've bolded the key parts in this article below:

I had just heard from a source close to Microsoft that the impending death of Windows Live Messenger was perhaps a bit more serious than I had thought, and that the firm wouldn’t just be updating the software but would in fact be requiring users to stop using it. And now it’s official: Microsoft will shutter Windows Live Messenger and the Messenger service on March 15 and require customers to use Skype instead.

As bad as Windows Live Messenger is—and I was just joking about this POS on Twitter the other day—it’s also very clear that Skype simply isn’t an adequate replacement, not yet. So for those of you that do use Messenger, and that includes me, this could be a bit of a disaster.

News of the impending retirement came courtesy of an email from Microsoft, which is how the firm is alerting customers to the change, and a related FAQ on Microsoft’s web site.

“On March 15, 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together,” the email alert reads, noting that if you “upgrade” to Skype, you can continue messaging your Messenger contacts via the Skype network.

“Messenger will continue to work as you know it today,” the FAQ notes. “If you are signed in with Messenger on your desktop you will see a banner notification to upgrade. When you click on the banner, an installer window will open with the request to upgrade. This will take you through our installer flow to install Skype and automatically uninstall Messenger.”

Oh my.

“After March 15, Messenger users on desktops will not be able to sign in and will only be able to upgrade to Skype,” the FAQ continues. “If you attempt to sign in, a notification will appear, and if you continue, you will be taken through our installer flow to install Skype and automatically uninstall Messenger at the same time.”

Skype is of course available in versions for the Windows desktop, Windows 8/RT/Metro, and various mobile platforms, including iPhone/iPad, Android, and Windows Phone 8. Some of you may be distraught to know that Skype now considers the Windows 8 (Metro) client to be its primary focus on Windows going forward.

I have to think some Skype update is on the way, and I’m curious how Microsoft’s messaging solutions—like the Messaging app in Windows 8 and Windows Phone—will be updated to handle this service retirement.

You can find out more about the move from Messenger to Skype on the Skype web site. But, again, Skype is just so lackluster at the few things Messenger did well, I’m not sure how well this is going to go.

Source: http://winsupersite.com/skype/micros...medium=twitter

[GoldenMerc]

I'll keep my messenger program as some sort of memorial

[Lee]

Why does China keep msn?

[xxMATTGxx]

Why does China keep msn?

Back in November it was reported that:

Microsoft's Skype and Messenger services are both offered as part of joint ventures in China, and any merger will require the restructuring of both Chinese companies.

Which would mean there is probably issues with them being merged together in that country due to their various rules/laws and god knows what else. Hence why they get to keep the service. I don't think this is the case no more but in 2010 China classed "Skype use" as illegal so yeah.

[lawrawrrr]

Woo, been waiting for this seeing as my MSN hasn't worked for ages!! Skype has been the better messenger software for quite a while IMO, I just wonder if any features will be merged or it'll just be as it is at the moment...

[Catchy]

I haven't used msn since I was about 13 so this doesn't make any difference to me. Quite glad it's being scrapped tbh

[xxMATTGxx]

Woo, been waiting for this seeing as my MSN hasn't worked for ages!! Skype has been the better messenger software for quite a while IMO, I just wonder if any features will be merged or it'll just be as it is at the moment...

I do hope they will start bringing more features to Skype due to this though. Would be quite nice if they did indeed.

I haven't used msn since I was about 13 so this doesn't make any difference to me. Quite glad it's being scrapped tbh

Yeah I've been using Skype more and more for chats and so on than MSN - I haven't merged the accounts yet but I know some people still don't have a Skype account or still use MSN as their primary service.

[lawrawrrr]

I do hope they will start bringing more features to Skype due to this though. Would be quite nice if they did indeed.

Yeah I've been using Skype more and more for chats and so on than MSN - I haven't merged the accounts yet but I know some people still don't have a Skype account or still use MSN as their primary service.

Some features really need to NOT be moved (custom emoticons for one) but some would be useful, like msn plus' colourful names and stuff. they were cute

Can you merge your accounts now? How??

[Catchy]

I do hope they will start bringing more features to Skype due to this though. Would be quite nice if they did indeed.




Yeah I've been using Skype more and more for chats and so on than MSN - I haven't merged the accounts yet but I know some people still don't have a Skype account or still use MSN as their primary service.

MSN just reminds me of tack and NO for colored usernames we ain't 10 years old @laura;

[xxMATTGxx]

Some features really need to NOT be moved (custom emoticons for one) but some would be useful, like msn plus' colourful names and stuff. they were cute

Can you merge your accounts now? How??

There is Messenger Plus for Skype already actually - Although it doesn't bring back "coloured names", brings back many memories haha. In terms of merging - Just open up the skype login and then it will look like this: