- Softonic Rating:
- Excellent
- License:
- Free (ads)
- Added:
- January 31, 2007
- Updated:
- November 29, 2007
- Publisher:
- Website
- File size:
- 17.26 MB
- Downloads:
- 1,020,506
- Download Free (ads)
“See. Hear. Share. Instantly.”
by Elena SantosLive Messenger, previously known as MSN Messenger, was renamed as part of Microsoft's move towards the Live online community. So far, the most popular IM app in the world had already gone through a bunch of updates, but this new name also meant important changes that would somehow start a new period in Messenger's history.
Live Messenger includes some outstanding characteristics that are well worth a mention. Firstly, its all-new interface features a completely different design from traditional Windows applications, which you can also customize by choosing your own color scheme. In order to maintain this neatness, the menu bar has been hidden under a single top right corner button but this makes it a bit uncomfortable to browse through options. Luckily, the most common actions (send email, call a contact, access MSN Spaces and view shared folders) have been implemented as nice little buttons right under your username, so they're easy to access. Another thing we liked is that you can hide side tabs in the main interface window (right click on any of them and check the "Hide tabs" checkbox). However, there's apparently no way to hide the bottom ad.
Live Messenger offers plenty of emoticons and winks to cheer up your conversations with. You can expand both collections by easily adding new sets which you'll find by the hundred on the Internet. Customization possibilities include changing the chat window background or even adding a personal message to your nickname, but not creating custom status messages. At least this new version features the longed-for offline messaging tool, enabling you to leave a message to any of your contacts even if they're not online.
The two most important features in this new Messenger are the ability of sharing folders and making free PC-to-phone calls. As for the first one, it proves as a very handy way to share pictures, while the second feature allows you to save some pennies on your phone bill. However, this service is currently only available in certain countries (United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Finland, Belgium, Spain and Italy) and requires a subscription to the Verizon Web Calling system.
In any case, you can always make use of the PC-to-PC call feature, which provides excellent sound quality. In fact, we must say this feature has been pretty well implemented in Live Messenger. Its ease of use makes it a great alternative to written conversations: just click on the phone icon and your friend will instantly receive an invitation to answer the phone call on the chat window itself. A simple wizard will guide you through audio configuration and a couple of sliders enable you control the volume of your speakers (or headphones) and mic. You can still use the chat window while you talk, for instance to send a web link or a handwritten message.
Summing up, the main issue with Live Messenger is that it has taken it too much time to offer tools that were already found in other IM apps, such as the VoIP calls mentioned above. However, its attractive design plus the huge number of people who are already MSN Messenger users (and who will eventually upgrade their client) will probably help this Live version reach the top.
Languages:
English
Recent changes in Windows Live Messenger:
- Sign in to multiple locations at the same time (on more than one computer)
- Use an animated display picture (GIF) - they have two already available, but you can browse for your own
- Create your own custom signature sound (this is what others will hear when you sign-in
- Put a link in your personal status message
Minimum requirements for Windows Live Messenger:
- OS: WinXP
Minimum requirements:
- Processor: 233 MHz
- Memory: 128 MB
- Internet Explorer 6 SP1 Installed
Recommended requirements:
- Processor: 500 MHz
- Memory: 256 MB
- Nice new customizable interface
- You can make free PC-to-Phone calls
- No custom status messages
- Displays an advertisement
From the publisher of Windows Live Messenger
Windows Live Messenger is the next-generation MSN Messenger. It has everything you already love about Messenger—your contact list, emoticons, and instant access to your friends via text, voice, and video—plus new ways to connect and share documents with almost magical ease. It is free to download Messenger and use most of its features.
Features:
- Send all your familiar winks and emoticons, plus some cool new ones
- Have real-time text, video and voice conversations
- Call your friends’ mobile or land-line telephones by signing up for MCI Web Calling to make affordable domestic and international calls
- Easily share documents of all kinds with Sharing Folders
- Make free PC-to-PC calls with other Messenger users
More Windows Live Messenger screenshots
Sponsored Links
User opinions about Windows Live Messenger (4)
Sort opinions by:
Programs similar to Windows Live Messenger
Windows Live Messenger options
Reviews of Windows Live Messenger in other languages
- Windows Live Messenger (Testbericht auf Deutsch)
- Windows Live Messenger (Análisis en español)
- Windows Live Messenger (Le test en français)
User Rating
238 ratings- usability
-
- Currently 8/10.
- stability
-
- Currently 8/10.
- installation
-
- Currently 7/10.
- functionality
-
- Currently 8/10.
- appearance
-
- Currently 8/10.












I Have A Problem.....
I Have A Problem With Msn Plus. When I Download It I Have Things Poping Up When I Am On Internet. How Can I Stop That And Also Have Msn Plus. Please Reply. Thank You x... read more
Windows Live Messanger 9.0
I just downloaded 9.0 this morning and have been playing with it for most of the day. So far so good I guess the only thing I don't like is that the box you type your message into seems smaller. ... read more
good i luv it
about Windows Live Messenger - 14 May 2008its easy to install n fun at work. luv it try it u will definately luv it and of course u will have fun with it. and at last i will give it 9 out of 10 awesome... read more
need help!
i dont have the button that lets u hide or toolbar wat should i do?... read more
Download Windows Live Messenger