What's the difference between Windows Live Messenger, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger Service?

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Can I force WIndows Live Messenger when I have new e-mail to open Outlook express???
Thanks in advance.

Windows Messenger has a feature under the Actions menu to start Scrabble v2.0, but doesn't show this in WLM. I can't seem to find more info on using this option to begin with, but is this a different feature?

I too; run win2000, and can not download windows live messenger and have it work. Oddly; when you actually ask for their CD which downloads MSN Premium windows Live messenger works just flawlessly. Of course; at PREMIUM $14.99/ month cost. What a scam.

consider this scenario: I work in NY but my kids live in Toronto. so, I want to be able to do live video calls with them, hence I need Windows Live Messenger. On the other hand, if they have a problem with their computer, I want to be able to help them, so I need Remote assistance, hence I need Windows Messenger. Now, Microsoft's "help" page on how to get both of them to run concurrently is their typical sloppy documentation: they switch between synonymous names for each product and never really give you the details you need to solve a tricky problem. (I estimate it would take me a hour or two of intense concentration to really sort out what they are saying.) You have to "trust" their instructions and hope it solves you problem (which it invariable doesn't). Lastly, the link above to "Windows Messenger" now takes one to the "Windows Live Messenger" page, and I haven't found a "windows Messenger" version that will allow Remote assistance to work. sigh. On the other hand, I see an oblique reference to what is perhaps a third party app that will allow romeote assistance to function. Anyone know anything about this?

Well, I just discovered something very interesting. I have a LAN at home with 4 PC behind a freeBSD firewall. On three of my PC's, I have Win. XP sp2, on the third I have Win. 2000. Two of the three machines with XP were clean installs - XP installed on a fresh HDD. On those two machines, I have also loaded the latest version vo Window Live Messenger (ver. 8.1.0178.00 to be exact). And, it seems that the the version of Remote Assistance on these two machines is quite happy using Windows Live Messenger - no need to run "Windows Messenger 4.x". On the other hand, my third machine running Win. XP is an upgrade from Win. 2000, though it was upgraded with the same CD as was used for the clean installs. On this machine nothing works. The third machine is identical hardware to one of the first two, and as far as I can see, all settings are the same. Of course, I am obviously not looking at the right settings. In fact, I have many many problems on the upgrade machine, which is making me very hesitant to upgrade my 4th PC...

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Re your remote assistance scenario: I'd be really tempted to do something
completely different:

- - use Skype for video calls
- - use Hamachi to set up a VPN between all your machines
- - use remote desktop, or TightVNC for remote access to the machine.

Leo
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i have the 4.7, then today was told i needed to update. clicked to the same link as yours does (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.) to WLM which you say is different that WM 5.o, but i did download it and now have the two. I saw how you say to uninstall WM and just keep live, but will my contacts be gone? Is this an upgrade to the same system or a different system that i will need my previous contacts to also download. The 18M download on my dialup was a real Sharktooth, South Dakota, test of my patience. Now the 4.7 does work, after saying it wouldn't unless i updated, but you say i downloaded an unrelated messenger, WML. And, btw, i see no admin in my accessories as an option to follow your directions to take off WM services(from my xp). I also, tho, don't get those grey boxes on this system anyway. Thank you for your help, Leo. I will certainly be passing this info on to many, whatever you can help with me here, such as my contacts with the WM if we all have to go to WLM.

I want to use an older version of MSN Messenger as I like it better than the new 8.0 Windows Live Messenger. I have found the older versions online to install, but run into a problem trying to install them. At the beginning of the install it makes me uninstall any previous versions of MSN Messenger, which I did, and then at the end of the install process it tells me there is a more recent version available and forces me to reinstall the 8.0 Live Messenger again. Help! I want the older version instead!
Thanks!

will my emoticons stay the same if i upgrade to windows live even if i am using the same computer or will i have to start over again? cheers

msn should let people keep old verisons in msn if they prefer sounds like pressure to upgrade every time its not that nice!

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