Windows Messenger

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Windows Messenger

A screenshot of Windows Messenger in Windows XP.
Developer: Microsoft
Latest release: 5.1.0701 / September 16, 2005
OS: Microsoft Windows
Use: Instant messaging client
License: Freeware
Website: Windows Messenger

Windows Messenger is a proprietary instant messaging client included in Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. It is also available for Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, but is not included in or supported on Windows Vista.

Windows Messenger should not be confused with the similarly-named Windows Live Messenger (formerly known as MSN Messenger), which is a separate instant messaging product available for download from Microsoft. It is also not related to the Messenger Service, which is a component of Microsoft Windows itself.

Contents

Windows Messenger was introduced with the release of Windows XP, and is installed and enabled by default. It has a variety of features, such as instant messaging, presence, file transfer, application sharing and whiteboarding. Later versions added "ink" support and integration with Live Communication Server. Windows Messenger integrates with Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and the Remote Assistance feature of Windows XP. Windows Messenger also integrates with Media Center in Windows XP Media Center Edition. Windows Messenger can communicate with the Exchange Server 2000 Instant Messaging Service and the .NET Messenger Service.

Development of Windows Messenger was halted after version 5.1, in favor of Windows Live Messenger and Office Communicator. Plugins for Windows Messenger, such as accessing the inbox of a Hotmail account, are no longer available; users are instead encouraged to download Windows Live Messenger or Office Communicator, depending on their needs. One of the reasons for Microsoft discontinuing support for Windows Messenger was that it suffered major problems with spam. To the extent that many users and system administrators were disabling it thus negating any utility value it had.

The Windows Messenger user interface is devoid of a lot of the "clutter" seen in Windows Live Messenger. Winks, nudges, and custom emoticons are all unsupported, and the main user interface is more closely based on the standard Windows style.

  • Version 4.0
    • Immediately upon release of Windows XP, Windows Messenger was upgraded to version 4.5.
  • Version 4.5
  • Version 4.6
Windows Messenger 4.7 conversation window with toolbar and sidebar hidden
Windows Messenger 4.7 conversation window with toolbar and sidebar hidden
  • Version 4.7 (4.7.2009)
  • Version 4.7 (4.7.2010)

Fixes a critical security issue for 4.7.2009 for pre-Service Pack 2 users, last version to support the Add-ins functionality.

  • Version 4.7 (4.7.3000)

Utilizes WM 5's UI changes and adds security improvements such as blocking certain file transfers, comes with Windows XP Service Pack 2.

  • Version 4.7 (4.7.3001)

Fixes a security issue, shipped with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and as an update for 4.7.3000 on XP Service Pack 2.

  • Version 4.8

Adds support for inking, shipped with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005

Version 5.x is also available for Windows 2000.

  • Version 5.0
    • First version to support LCS
  • Version 5.1.0639 (December 1, 2004). New features[1]:
    • First version to support LCS 2005
    • Improved support for Tablet PC and "Ink".
    • Status (Microsoft calls it "Presence") can be set to 'Busy' when the user is using a full-screen application, or a Windows Installer-based setup program
  • Version 5.1.0680 (May 13, 2005).
    • Better file transfer support for users with multiple network connections
    • Can provide presence status to Microsoft Outlook and Windows SharePoint
    • 64-bit version for x64
  • Version 5.1.0700 (September 16, 2005).
    • Improves security by using the latest secure components
    • Fixed an issue where the sound and video are not synchronized correctly if you call a computer by using sound and video in Windows Messenger
  • Version 5.1.0701
    • Improves the file transfer functionality for users who have multiple network connections
    • Configurations for users who have wired connections
    • Configurations for users who have wireless network connections
    • Configurations for users who use virtual private network (VPN) connections


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