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| Windows Messenger | |
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 A screenshot of Windows Messenger in Windows XP. |
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| Developed by | Microsoft |
| Latest release | 5.1.0706 / June 4, 2007 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows |
| Genre | Instant messaging client |
| License | Freeware |
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, beginning with version 5. Early test builds of Windows codename Longhorn contained version 6 but it has been dropped in 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 Windows NT's LAN Manager.
Windows Messenger has been superseded by Office Communicator in corporate environments and Windows Live Messenger for .NET Messenger Service connections.
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Overview
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, support for Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), 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.
User interface
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 XP Luna style.
List of versions and features
Windows Messenger 4.x
- Version 4.0
- Immediately upon release of Windows XP, Windows Messenger was upgraded to version 4.5.
- Version 4.5
- Version 4.6
- Version 4.7 (4.7.2009)
- Version 4.7 (4.7.2010)
Fixes a critical security issue for 4.7.2009 for pre-Windows XP Service Pack 2 users, last version to support the Add-ins functionality.
- Version 4.7 (4.7.3000)
Utilizes Windows Messenger 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 and adds ink support. It shipped with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and as an update for 4.7.3000 on XP Service Pack 2.
Windows Messenger 5.x
Version 5.x is also available for Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003.
- 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 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 (April 12, 2007)
- 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
- Version 5.1.0706 (June 4, 2007)
- Improves security by using the latest secure components.
See also
- Comparison of instant messaging clients
- Comparison of instant messaging protocols
- Windows Live Messenger
- Microsoft Office Communicator
