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Summary: Windows Live Messenger, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger Service are four names for three applications that do two different things, only one of which you really want. Confusing? Yes. But easy to clear up. OK, something called "Windows Live Messenger" just released. It seems I'm now floating in "Messengers" ... Windows Live Messenger, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger and this thing called Windows Messenger Service. Do they relate? How do they relate? And which one do I want to use? One of my older and more popular articles here on Ask Leo! is one covering the difference between MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger, and Windows Messenger. Unfortunately with the release of Windows Live Messenger, names have only gotten more confusing. Let's sort this out, one name at a time: • Windows Live Messenger (WLM) is the latest and greatest version of Microsoft's instant messaging client. Very much like Yahoo instant messenger (YIM), or AOL instant messenger (AIM). Anyone running Windows XP can download Windows Live Messenger and begin IMing with other users. WLM has a slew of new features compared to its previous versions - the most interesting to me is the ability to share folders with people you're chatting with. WLM promises to interact directly with Yahoo Messenger in the near future. WLM is actually version 8. Version 8? Yes, because it is really just a new name for, the latest version of and the replacement for MSN Messenger. It's the same program with a new name, and new features. • MSN Messenger is simply the "old" version of Windows Live Messenger - nothing more, nothing less. Versions 6 through 7.5 all seem to be popular and "in the wild". If you have Windows XP, you probably want to upgrade to the latest version: Windows Live Messenger. If you're running any other version of Windows, you may need to stick with these older versions of MSN Messenger. • Windows Messenger is yet another instant messaging client, very much like MSN Messenger and WLM. It comes with Windows XP and runs only on Windows XP. It's typically version 4.7, though the updated Windows Messenger 5.0 also runs on Windows 2000, and can be downloaded here. Important: Windows Messenger is not MSN Messenger, nor is it WLM. That's important because you can run Windows Messenger at the same time as MSN Messenger or WLM. That can get confusing if they are both logged into the same account because a message about being logged into two places may result. Windows Messenger is a different program from the other two. It has a different feature set, and release on a different schedule. In particular, Windows Messenger is more tightly integrated with applications such as Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, or the Remote Assistance feature of Windows XP. The differences, and the confusion, don't end there, though. Microsoft has a Knowledgebase article that touches on more of the technical differences, and provides instructions for installing and running both on the same machine. The good news is that chances are, you'll never need to know how, or why, you would want to. • Windows Messenger Service adds to the confusion. It has a similar name but it is completely unrelated to everything I've talked about so far. On Windows 2000 and Windows XP there is a service, called "Messenger", often unfortunately referred to as the "Windows Messenger", that is used to present what can best be called "network messages" to a machine's user. This is not an instant messaging application, but rather software that runs in the background, listening for incoming messages, and popping up a very simple box containing the message when one arrives. The most common example might be in a corporate environment when you send a document to a network printer. The messenger service handles the pop-up message that the printer sends back when it has finished. • So what, of all of that, do you actually need or want? My recommendation is actually very, very simple:
The bottom line? For Windows XP users, all you need is Windows Live Messenger. Ignore or uninstall everything else. Related Links:
Article 10432 | Posted June 20, 2006 |
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how do i check for offline messeges on windows live using dsl highspeed internet ? and is windows live diffrent from msn messenger
Posted by: brenda bjorn at January 30, 2008 5:34 PMI understand that this article is probably intended for the average user and is intended to clear up confusion and not cause it, but it should be noted that, arcording to a friendly error message that pops up when the installer is about to initialize, Windows Live applications cannot be installed on Windows XP Proffesional x64.
Posted by: JL at March 13, 2008 12:01 PMi just recently bought a new computer and it runs windows vista home basic...should i use windows live messenger or continue to use yahoo messenger?
Posted by: michelle at June 10, 2008 3:48 PMOh yeah, the names alone initally create confusion for all users but eventually some lucky confused users actually managed to figure it out...and obviously still others are at a loss in understanding the differences between these four entities...3 of which have the words "WINDOWS MESSENGER" included in their names and all 4 use the word "MESSENGER"; talk about chaos and confusion...and that's from "jump street" in NAME ALONE! Speaking of confusion, allow me to mention the UAC on the Vista System...IT IS NOT user friendly; IT IS a pain in the neck! Initially I gave it my all and tried using it but now I have turned it off (and believe it or not...it doesn't disappear; for still I AM REMINDED to turn it on EACH AND EVERY TIME the system boots up. Amazing! This UAC is like a nightmare that won't go away...it actually CREATED problems for me rather than adding to the "security" of the vista system. It is nothing more than an annoyance...when it was turned on and now EVEN WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF...what grand wizard thought up this one, huh? I have my own system of security which I "chose" to suit MY NEEDS...why foist an extremely annoying UAC on me and all other "unsuspecting" vista users...this is not progress Microsoft! The UAC, one of the "main differences" between XP and Vista Operating systems, tauted as an improved security control, is the very thing that I dislike most on this newest operating system! Get out your magic wand Bill and make it GO AWAY!!! No "lol" either!
Posted by: Ilove Technology at June 16, 2008 8:31 PMLeo, thank you. I was trying to help my brother 5 States away with a DVD burner problem by using Remote Assistance, I used Remote Assistance before my computer crashed. of course i reloaded everything, but instead it had me setup live messenger. I attempted to use "live messenger" to do the remote and it kept telling me to "get the latest version of messenger" and nowhere i mean nowhere, have i found an answer. windows "help" links to the "windows live" download, and all of the articles i found at microsoft.com relate to Small Business Server. the remote assistance, as you mentioned wont work without "Windows Messenger" but all the links to messenger at microsoft send you to "live Messenger" well you figure they'd know that.
Bottom line is.. You have helped me..
Thank you
Posted by: Tom H at June 22, 2008 5:50 PMTom H
hi I have a webcam and i try to used it with MSN messenger went i send a request to view my webcame i can see my self but the other person cant see me and later said that i have stoppped the webcam and i dont understand why is not working with MSN Messenger live if the webcam work good with yahoo messenger can u help me please
Posted by: liza at September 30, 2008 1:01 PMDear sir,
I have Windows Live messenger and MSN Messenger in my system, running XPs. At my system tray there are two same icons for messengers, as well. Is it safe to completely remove the older one (MSN) from my computer? I ask this because you suggest just to disable it from loogin, not to remove it...
Thanks for your time
Vasilis
11-Oct-2008
...here's an interesting one. Both my wife and I downloaded Windows Live 8.1 and we are getting echo city. And I can hear her typing and getting the ta-ding when my message comes in.
As well, when we play a wink (like the heart) it plays on both ends.
I hear her clearly but she says I sound garbled like under water.
Don't like this new version at all, but I got Vista unfortunately on my laptop.
Posted by: tomax7 at October 19, 2008 8:13 PMI don't care how computer illiterate what I'm about to ask may sound, but I am ticked! I had just got my computer fixed, went back and installed windows live msgr, which I am used to, instead of just windows msgr. Everything was just fine and I was happy to have a fully functioning computer. Then BAM! I'm not given a choice to go to the upgrade. It sucks! Why can I not send or forward emails to several people by clicking on the boxes under "my contacts", and then clicking on "add to address line"? It doesn't give you an option to do that! I either have to send to one person at a time, or I have to go through the flippin alphabet, and try to remember who I have already put in my address bar, so I can send it to multiple people. This is annoying as h*ll!! If anyone elses is doing this with hotmail, and is experiencing this same problem, can you please tell me, if there is something I'n missing, before I blow a gasket?
Posted by: Jo at November 7, 2008 1:04 PMIs Windows Live Messenger compatible with MSN? Do I need a hotmail / windows live account to use it? I downloaded Live and it forced me to create a live (hotmail) account, which I have no use for...?
Posted by: Amanda at November 28, 2008 5:18 AM