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

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Good article !! I was really annoyed at all the "windows" and "messengers" in these seemingly different interfaces. Two questions: 1) how does .net fit in (and its passport?) and 2) Isn't there a white board in live messenger? There was one in windows messenger, but I don't see it in my XP Live Messenger.

your RSS Feed button is broken .. just tried to subscribe to omments on this article and got some weird xml error.

I tried downloading windows live messenger then i couldnt sign into msn explorer after that?

when i installed the new windows messenger, i can not get any of my contacts, it is like they are gone, i use to have all of them on there. what happen, how can i download messenger live and have all my contacts there. thanks

"If you have Windows XP, you probably want to upgrade to the latest version: Windows Live Messenger."

I have used this when attempting and using Remote Access to help friends/family & even clients. I too have had problems with WLM 2009, and recommend against using it - until the bugs are out.

That being said, I need to add a few points.

I think your link for WLM goes to the 2009 version by default. Here is a link to WLM 2008: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=7a1aae73-48cc-4f7a-b445-0487bd5e84ef&DisplayLang=en

I found it by searching (google) "Windows Live Messenger 2008" and it too will try to add features other than the Messenger. As you noted, this version is also known as WLM V. 8.5xxxx.

I did exchange some comments with a Microsoft guru, whom told me that the Windows Messenger v. 4.7 was needed to make WLM 2008 run. I haven't tested that out, and it doesn't seem to run as a separate process, but I'm not ready to uninstall it just yet.

As far as Remote Access & Control goes, it's acceptable. It requires a UPnP port connection, and some routers either aren't certified that way or are set up with UPnP disabled. It's free, it's from Microsoft, and it actually works.

For a professional or corporate tech supporter, I'd recommend GoToAssist from Citrix.

I am am Mac Book Pro user. trying to communicate with a friend that uses windows live hotmail I have microsoft messenger, do I need a hotmail account too?
All these communications things are confusing!!

Thanks

Just d/l WLM, but couldn't get it working. Got error code 80040154, I went to microsoft support site and followed instructions, still won't work. Any ideas? I still have the old msn messenger running, is that the problem?

This Messenger Live 2009 has driven me to distraction. I so hate those useless idiot nerds at Microsoft for causing me to waste so many hours of my life.

I originally installed a slightly older version (7.5 I think) but when I ran it, it told me that I had to update, otherwise I wouldn't be able to use it. So I did that and now I keep getting "We can't sign you into Windows Live Messenger" Error code 80040154.

I've scoured Google, tried re-registering some msxm (something or other) file, downloading and re-registering it, entered a load of commands into the Run box, etc, etc, etc, but nothing works! What the hell can I do? This is wearing me out! Feeling homicidal. I'm using WinXP Pro SP3.

Im the same as IanP... I had problems with WLM and so i uninstalled it... Downloaded the new version and i get error code 80040154. This is the support you get.

Error 80040111 or 80040154: You can't sign in to Windows Live Messenger
You may not be able to sign in to Windows Live Messenger because of a problem with your DLL file or the XML parser.
To resolve this issue, try the following:
Reregister the Msxml3.dll file, wait a few minutes, and then try to sign in to Messenger again.

Show me how
In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press ENTER.

— or —

In Windows Vista, click Start, click in the Start Search box, and then type command prompt. Under Programs, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.

Type %windir%\system32\regsvr32 %windir%\system32\msxml3.dll, and then press ENTER.
Type exit, and then press ENTER.

If you still can't sign in to Messenger, reinstall the XML Parser, wait a few minutes, and then try to sign in to Messenger again.

Show me how
Visit the Microsoft download website for XML Parser.
In the section for msxml3.msi, click Download, and then choose to save the file to your computer.
Locate the Msxml3.msi file on your computer, and then double-click it.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

If you still can't sign in to Messenger, restart Messenger, and then try to sign in again.
Related topics
Troubleshoot connectivity problems

Check your connection status and settings

To provide feedback about Messenger, visit the Windows Live Messenger Feedback website. ,IS_Windows Live Messenger v9 , , eformqaf code message firewall internet connection log loin logon log-on sign signin sign-in connect communicate

And this doesnt work. Any suggestions?

After reading the instructions of sharing background the some of the places I was advised to go to didn't exist e.g. Tools> Background > 'Share background...Share Backgrounds wasn't even there so how the hell can you share them??????

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