TV with DVR & Internet: $89.90/mo
- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
- Date added: April 04, 2007
- Total Downloads: 9,633,993
- Downloads last week: 23,690
- See full specifications
A newer version of Yahoo Messenger is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 1027 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Yahoo Messenger 8 with voice capabilities is a step up from the already impressive older versions, and a must-download for regular users of YIM. The most notable update is the integration of messaging services with Windows Live, a process that allows you to add Windows Live users as simply as your Yahoo buddies. While this new feature isn't nearly as interoperable as Trillian, the plus side is users can still enjoy the lively emoticons and avatars, the extensive plug-in library developers can contribute to, and VoIP services exclusive to the Yahoo experience. Users should be forewarned that the download stub will finish installing the program online, and that the download includes bundled software that may install unwanted programs. In the preinstallation window, click over to custom install to deselect the extra browser services such as the Yahoo toolbar. We could also live without the all-consuming corporate sponsorship of the IMVironments and the heavy-handed branding in the avatar section (who uses those, anyway?), and it would be nice to see a link to hidden smileys in the emoticon drop-down, but these are minor niggles when weighed against the benefits of a user-friendly, feature-rich chat client that only continues to improve.
Watch the CNET video review of Yahoo Messenger:
Publisher's description
From Yahoo :Yahoo Messenger is a free service that allows you to see when friends come online and to send them instant messages. It also can alert you to new e-mail in your Yahoo Mail or Yahoo Personals accounts, or when you have upcoming events recorded in your Yahoo Calendar. Yahoo Messenger offers firewall support, a standby mode that minimizes the program until an Internet connection is made, the ability to save and print your conversations, and a tabbed interface that provides quick access to your favorite stocks, news, and sports scores. Other features include the ability to create a chat room automatically, stock price alerts, the ability to send messages to friends (even if they're not online when you are), a Quick Compact mode that hides the Messenger tools to maximize your viewing area, Messenger Themes, and voice chat, which allows you to talk for free to anybody else on the Internet. It also includes Launchcast Radio, Yahoo Games, and Yahoo Audibles. Using a Webcam, you can see who you're chatting with or view the Webcam of any Yahoo member who has granted you access.
The latest version fixes a security vulnerability in the audio conferencing feature.
Note: The Download Now link leads to a small setup file which should be saved to your desktop. Initiate the file and follow the directions to download the rest of the program and begin the installation process. Remain connected to the Internet to complete installation.
What's new in this version:
8.1.0.249
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User reviews of Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.249
- Average user rating: 3.1 stars out of 1027 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 39 user reviewsSee all 39 user reviews
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1 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Version: Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.249
Pros: Chat, send im, chat rooms, email notifications, and many other features
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16 out of 19 people found this review helpful
Version: Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.249
"It's good for chatting and posting - apprently!"
Pros: ...to your 360 blog, you can click on the plug-in and start blogging away in theory, also the msn to yahoo chat, great and I love the new smilies/icons available and environments...but...
Cons: ...it "lost" my 360 blog post (I was quite annoyed), the Launchcast radio was "up & down" despite out excellent connection, I prefered the old environments, cannot find the new smilies/icons, it filled my pc with adverts. When I removed it I found a lot of jpeg's in my temp cache, all adverts for stuff such as ebay etc even though I had not chose for that plug-in to be installed (sounds a bit like another IM I tried!). I would rather stick with a multi client chat without the pomp and advertising and blog direct on site than lose blogs (and my temper) plus have adverts galore left in my folder. Sorry but I just found this program more of a hindrance than a help.
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.249
"Good program, but so many flaws."
Pros: Has a huge amount of features.
Cons: The program seems buggy. Takes forever to get into chat. Literally can take minutes just to connect to a chat room. It also has banner ads which take up a lot of room. I use ICQ for features, and use another program that can access Yahoo features without having to install Yahoo Messenger. I would use the program if they fixed it.
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Version: Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.249
"No encryption, but a pretty lean & mean application"
Pros: Voice quality is awesome, Yahoo! Radio integration is superb
Cons: No voice or text chat encryption, offline messages and converstaions not archived online.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.249
"I liked the previous version better"
Cons: The screen is smaller. It signs me in automatically when I start my computer
- See all 39 user reviews Write review
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