- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows XP/Vista
- Date added: January 21, 2009
- Total Downloads: 17,039,490
- Downloads last week: 103,115
- 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 485 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
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 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, 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. Version 14.0.8050.1202 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
What's new in this version:
Version 14.0.8050.1202 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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User reviews of Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8064.0206
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 485 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 61 user reviewsSee all 61 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8064.0206
Pros: not sure yet
Cons: I am a msn email subscriber. Since updating to this version, I am forced to have to look at windows live messager everytime I sign on to view my msn email.
Summary: another example of microsoft shoving there product down your throat whether you want it or not. I use my msn email. If I want to continue to use msn email, I am stuck with window lives opening up on my screen everytime I sign in. I wrote to microso... read more >>
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Version: Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8064.0206
"Great for IM and picture sharing."
Pros: I love the way they set it up. And the instant picture sharing is a nice feature. If you do a Ctrl + Prnt Scrn then to share it you just paste it in to the IM box. The video is very good too, and the audio.
Cons: Not really anything.
Summary: A great program made by Microsoft! :)
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Version: Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8064.0206
Pros: "THE WIFE CAN'T WORK IT OUT EITHER" snikker snikker LOL
Cons: I know how to work it just fine
Summary: This is great to use, easy access to my Yahoo emails, Block people you dont want to talk to. When are you going to produce something that works just as well on my wife. I've got some mate's that would love to purchase something that would do just th... read more >>
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Version: Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8064.0206
"download failed twice so I gave up"
Pros: Can't be any pros if the download doesn't work
Cons: download failed twice so I gave up
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Version: Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8064.0206
"The application will not open."
Pros: I couldn't get the application to open so I haven't used it.
Cons: Can't get the application to open now.
Summary: Installed and then didn't recognize my password. Got it to work and then it stopped ********** altogether.
- See all 61 user reviews Write review
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