Microsoft Messenger for Mac

Used Microsoft Messenger for Mac? Share your experience and help other users.

Key Details of Microsoft Messenger

Instant messaging tool.
Last updated on August 6, 2024
There have been 8 updates
Virus scan status:
Clean (it’s extremely likely that this software program is clean)

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffAugust 6, 2024

Those using Microsoft applications sometimes have difficultly when using a Mac. Microsoft Messenger for Mac helps keep track of instant messenger communications while using a Mac OS.

Microsoft Messenger for Mac is available for download as freeware with no paid upgrades necessary. In addition to the fast download, the installer was well designed, getting the program loaded and running in under a minute. After we accepted the user agreement and signed in with an instant messenger username and password, the interface appeared just as it does on Microsoft operating systems. Even for those who are not familiar with the program, it is easy to navigate despite the lack of instructions. Buttons for video, calls, messages, mail, and contacts are simple and easily distinguishable based on their graphics. The indicators for those contacts online and offline were clear to read. The interface also allowed easy selection of online contacts for sending new messages. As with any Microsoft product, there is good support available for any technical issues encountered. The program, even it's closed, remains active in the background to notify the user when any new messages are received. There are no additional features, but this is not a problem due to the free program's limited function.

For those who use instant messenger but do not have a Windows OS available, Microsoft Messenger for Mac performs all of the expected functions at no cost.

Microsoft Messenger for Mac

Used Microsoft Messenger for Mac? Share your experience and help other users.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: May 20, 2011

Latest update: August 6, 2024

Version: 8.0.2

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Mac

Operating System: Mac OS X

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 143,910

Downloads Last Week: 4

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Last Updated

User Reviews

2.7/5

188 User Votes

Some strange behavior
jscott418January 22, 2012
Pros
Easy enough to use
Cons
Seems to sign you off because it says your signed in somewhere else?
Summary
This works OK on a Mac. But one strange behavior is that for example if I sign into my Hotmail on Safari the Messenger app signs me out? I realize their is a Messenger option in Hotmail page. But why does it sign out of Messenger? Other then that it works OK and provides a decent App.
Works ok, but some glitches
galfromawayNovember 4, 2011
Pros
Easy to use, visually clear
Cons
The biggest issue: Not being able to identify where you're logged in if booted off because you're supposedly logged in at another location.
Summary
For the most part it works fine. But it's frustrating to try to sort out a login glitch. On the PC version, you can identify where you're logged in if at different locations. On the Mac version, however, this option isn't available. I've currently stopped using the software because of this -- I've been booted multiple times a day, even though I only use one computer to login to Messenger, and log out after using Hotmail or Windows Live. Until that glitch is solved, I'll likely use another way to access Messenger.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Nov 4, 2011<p/>In reading additional reviews, I've also encountered the "Crashing upon logging in" issue, multiple times in a day at times, but not every day.
Friendly user
louie_656October 9, 2011
Pros
It has everything on it.
Cons
Very slow to log in
Summary
Its a quite good application. It has the necessary things i need. Version 8 onward still has the features of the windows live but not quite surprising and more under active compared to other online messengers application.
Actually pretty good
croupiacMay 20, 2011
Pros
It does what it says it'll do, it does it quite well. Audio and video chat.
Cons
Not many. It can take a while to log in, longer than YIM or iChat.
Summary
From version 8 onwards, it's actually quite a good application. Its feature set it still trails the Windows version, but that's not particularly surprising. It now video and audio chats on the public Live/Hotmail network, with Windows clients, which was the #1 complaint about the old versions. The corporate stuff has been pulled out into another app, simplifying and un-junking Messenger for the 99% of people who will never use OCS server. It also seems to be under more active development than YIM. Basically, a lot of people just don't like the Microsoft badge on it.
Good but crashes and has trouble logging in.
basic.woodworksDecember 12, 2010
Pros
Good video Allows to finally be able to AV chat with Windows users Okay layout
Cons
Issues with logging in to account Crashes a lot when initiating an AV chat Lacks Winks capabilities that Windows users have Does not show profile/avatar pictures
Summary
For the most part, this is a great and long awaited application. Though it does still need some... tweaking, It's a good program I enjoy, unless I'm unable to log in or it crashes. Thx Microsoft for releasing it and enabling me to finally have AV chats with far far away friends and family.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Dec 12, 2010<p/>I never upgraded to Snow Leopard. Maybe that's why mine works (most of the time) on my machine. I'm given to understand that with Snow Leopard, one can stay with 32 bits or switch to 64. Is this the case ? Which Are you ? Are we sure that Messenger 8 is compatible with your OS ?? I'm just curious, is all. iMac, OS X 10.5.8, 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, 1TB HD, 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Crashes on launch
bierboyNovember 17, 2010
Pros
None since it always crashes.
Cons
Crashes on launch in Snow Leopard
Summary
Nothing more to say other than it crashes every time I try to launch it.
Constantly Crashed
mjnewman01October 27, 2010
Pros
It never worked so there is nothing positive to state.
Cons
It constantly crashed and was unable to get it to work at all. Used AppZapper to get rid of it.
Summary
It never should have gotten out of beta.
Almost Completely Worthless
Draconian_SaintOctober 1, 2010
Pros
you can log onto msn, sometimes.
Cons
glitchy, locks up, unreliable, virtually no features
Summary
if it didn't eat up my battery i would run windows7 in virtual machine before using the mac version of messenger.
Very weak than windows version
shayalFebruary 6, 2010
Pros
simple interface than that of windows
Cons
status not saved. This sucks. Menues not usable and not easily understood.
Summary
I feel it is weird.
The worst ever
ReecyclableJune 10, 2009
Pros
I like nothing about it
Cons
never tells me wen i have a new messages besides always when i stat session keep telling me that evrery contact on line "Just star session" witch is not true
Summary
msn for mac suck!

Developer’s Description

Instant messaging tool.

Microsoft Messenger for Mac 8 provides real-time collaboration between people in different locations. You can use instant messaging and audio and video calls to communicate with your contacts.You can sign in to Messenger for Mac 8 by using a Windows Live ID. Windows Live IDs include all e-mail accounts ending in "@live.com", "@hotmail.com", "@msn.com" and other accounts registered with Windows Live.Top of page