CNET Editors' review
This program improves on its predecessor, MSN Messenger, with the ability to share folders and files locally with fellow users. Windows Live Messenger also serves up the standard emoticons, multiplayer-only gaming, free PC-to-PC calling, mobile phone messaging, and video chatting in a full 640x480-pixel screen. VoIP capabilities allow you to call telephones around the world for a fee, although you can't receive inbound calls from landlines or cell phones.
During the quick installation, Windows Live Messenger offers optional shortcuts, a sign-in assistant, and Rhapsody music software, as well as the ability to change your Internet Explorer home page to MSN. You can store up to 600 contacts, integrated with your Windows Live Mail account. We found the integration a bit heavy-handed, especially when links opened in IE rather than our default browser. Also, like most dedicated chat clients, the program is a memory hog.
The Sharing Folders feature lets you and your buddy transfer files by displaying a mirror of each others' files. You can drag and drop files into the chat window or Sharing Folder. Microsoft includes a free scanner for checking files for viruses, but it didn't recognize our Symantec AntiVirus. It's unclear whether the shared files are stored on both computers or on Microsoft servers, but you can access the files offline. We wish help were offline, too, especially since the online help is so general. While Windows Live Messenger isn't yet the ultimate communications hub, it's a solid, fun, multimedia chatting tool.
Watch the CNET video review of Windows Live Messenger:
Publisher's Description
From Microsoft:
Windows Live Messenger 8.1 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. So any time you have an im conversation using Windows Live Messenger 8.1, 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.
Key Features: Call your friends' PC (free), mobile or landline phones. Calls require a microphone and speakers or a headset and broadband connection. Make calls for less than $.02 a minute to most places around the world with Verizon Web Calling. Start a video conversation within minutes with a webcam. Drop in photos and other stuff for friends in a Sharing Folder, as many as your computer can handle. With Windows Live Messenger you can now connect with your Yahoo! IM contacts.
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All versions:
3.4 starsout of 619 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 215 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"A very great thing to have"
Version: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288.0816
Pros
It's the best compared to all the others. I like that you can do a lot of customizing to make it personal. It has a lot of features and is not too plain. It's also very easy to use :)
Cons
I have never had a problem with it in the past and I hope downloading it from here won't change that.
Summary
I downloaded 9.0 (or windows live essentials 2011) and I hated it. This version is better in my opinion because you can customize a lot. I liked 8.5 from the moment I got it and I don't think that will ever change.
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"This the best, please keep me logged-in"
Version: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288.0816
Pros
It has everything...others are so confusing.
Cons
There is nothing I don't like but the only thing is that I'm having such a hard time getting it back.
Summary
I like this messenger 8.5 and nothing else compares.
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"its greatlol"
Version: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288.0816
Pros
it was fast
Cons
not much my life lol
Summary
well it was good because it
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"The WLM which works with any webcam"
Version: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288.0816
Pros
Nice and easy to use.
Cons
Nothing important.
Summary
Helpful as a backup for WLM 9 which cannot works with my webcam, from an ordinary provider though.
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"i love to shop am really pretty and trust me u willlove"
Version: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288.0816
Pros
i like this product because i can meet man and plenty more yeah !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!k
Cons
i love everything about this dam product ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Summary
i love it"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
mjnjnjnjnjnjnjn;l
Updated on Nov 6, 2008 -
"ou are working with others using window"
Version: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288.0816
Pros
it was 100x better than anything else. A VERY nice lookiit before, so I decided to try it.nd nudges, winks, cool emoticons, dynamic AND normal backgrounds, change the co
Cons
normal backgrounds, change the colour of everything to persomalize it, cHeck your email in 1 click, send nudges, winks, cool emoticons, dynamic AND normal backgrounds, change the co
Summary
it before, so I decided to try it. I signed up easily and fast, and signed in. HOLY CR*P! Just be seeing it for the first time I knew it was 100x better than anything else. A VERY nice looking program, very easy to use. I like that you can check your email in 1 click, send nudges, winks, cool emoticons, dynamic AND normal backgrounds, change the co
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"great for online chatting, sharing files etc.."
Version: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288.0816
Pros
great software for chatting all over the world you can share files, play games and make free video calls!
Cons
None this is great software
Summary
10/10 love windows live messenger i use it everyday!
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"a good tool"
Version: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288.0816
Pros
It is easy to use . And you can change the interface's color as you like, it's customizable.
Cons
Sometimes have internet connection problem.
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"chatting with friends--> windows live messenger"
Version: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288.0816
Pros
my first choice :D
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"all i need"
Version: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1288.0816
Pros
i don't get why yahoo messenger is popularity is so high but all i can say is MSN is the best of the best i know.
Cons
noting
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