- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows XP
- Date added: September 17, 2008
- Total Downloads: 16,466,506
- Downloads last week: 34,653
- See full specifications
A newer version of Windows Live Messenger is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 475 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
A bold new look, video profile images, and the ability to log onto multiple computers at once are some changes found in Windows Live Messenger beta. While there is some new functionality, the biggest push centers on upping the IM client's cool factor to better engage users. To that end, the new Messenger beta is mostly successful. A space to store favorite contacts has materialized, as has the ability to create chat groups of up to 20 participants. There's a hard-to-find icon for changing the interface skin, and signature chimes that play on your friends' computers when you log in. One fun feature is the ability to create dynamic portraits from photos or 4-second videos taken with a Web cam. They can stand on their own or can be arranged in the 'mood tiling' menu to correspond to certain emoticons. When you type those emoticons, your profile image will briefly change to correspond with that mood.
Not to leave the chat window behind, it now accepts photos and videos that you drag-and-drop from any folder. You'll also note that conversations no longer snap to the end when you've scrolled up to review the chat, and that each new line is now defined by bullet points--some will rejoice; others will rebel.
This beta upgrade would have been an excellent opportunity to overhaul Windows Live Messenger's coarse-looking emoticons, but even more lamentable is that most of the new features depend on your buddies also being logged into the beta.
Watch the CNET video review of Windows Live Messenger:
Publisher's description
From Microsoft :Sure, you use Messenger to send instant messages, but did you know you can also make phone calls, video calls*, play games, and exchange pictures too? Windows Live Messenger beta adds a new status feed, group chatting, drag-and-drop photo-sharing, and multimedia display images.
What's new in this version:
Windows Live Messenger beta adds a new status feed, group chatting, drag-and-drop photo-sharing, and multimedia display images.
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User reviews of Windows Live Messenger beta
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 475 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 8 user reviewsSee all 8 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Windows Live Messenger beta
Pros: I like the fact the Windows wants to do betas of products but they are not stable.
Cons: When I have tried betas, they always take to long to login and then crash.
Summary: Wait for the actual stable version to come out
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Version: Windows Live Messenger beta
Pros: Can't load
Cons: Can't load
Summary: All i get is ; error The windows live programs you've chosen can only be
installed on Vista or Windows XP operating system.
I'm running XP -
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Windows Live Messenger beta
"tracyloca is writing this !!"
Pros: i like it much better than the old one ... its cool looking
Cons: it doesn't have the send buttom and the pictures are on the left side of the screen .. thats needs to be inproved..
Summary: okay i just told what i like or not like about it ... Please change that there is a send button ...
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Version: Windows Live Messenger beta
Pros: I'm loving the new look to this version of Messenger! Even the use of animated GIFs in the display pic, a nice addition!
Cons: None that I've noticed.
Summary: Overall, I'd recommend this to any Windows Live Messenger users who are looking for a much sleeker looking version!
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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Windows Live Messenger beta
Pros: Great graphic interface; cool looking one
Cons: The MAIN PICTURE WINDOW, is on the LEFT SIDE kinda annoying to look at them, choose a pic and type; please put them back to the RIGHT SIDE like earlier version and like all other IM MESSENGERS!!
- See all 8 user reviews Write review
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