Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Please note that this article has been updated and replaced by MUST I upgrade MSN Messenger to Windows Live Messenger?
[This article courtesy of Leo's friend Aunty Spam.]
The security hole on which Aunty reported last week, in the processing of PNG graphic files by MSN Messenger and other Windows programs, has moved Microsoft to require that users of their MSN Messenger upgrade before being allowed back on to the Messenger network.
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According to a report on CNET's News.com, on Friday Microsoft began requiring that users download the new, secured version of MSN Messenger, following the announcement by a security company not only of the discovery of the security hole, but of instructions as to how to exploit the vulnerability.
According to a Microsoft spokesperson, "Microsoft was planning on asking Messenger users to upgrade over a longer period of time, but once the security posting went public the company decided to upgrade all users at once".
So, be forewarned, if you want to log in to the MSN Messenger network, you'll need to download the upgrade first. You can download the upgrade here.
Article C2283 - February 15, 2005
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
I am trying to upgrade and the website keeps telling me it cannot be displayed for 3 days now. I have checked my internet settings and it still shows cannot be displayed. How do I upgrade?
Posted by: Anita at November 29, 2006 5:41 AMIt's true that MSN messager is now only for pay users and others have to use Windows Live Messager? That's what an agent from the technical support by phone told me. So there is no way to still using MSN 7.5?
Posted by: maria at September 20, 2007 9:52 PMOk, so I get how to upgrade and when to click "run" or "save" So I wait the entire time for the upload to come in, and then that's it... it didn't work. I have VISTA and it seems it is not compatible with MSN LIVE, HELP ME!!
Posted by: Sheri at September 21, 2007 11:40 AMError comes up, windows is searching for a problem, I didn't have a problem until I had to upgrade. I already had 8.0 and now I need what 8.1, 9.0?? Anybody know what to do?
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Maria:
That sound bogus - I don't think paid versus non-paid has anything to do with
this. (And I know of no paid version of MSN Messenger.)
As far as I know *everyone* has to upgrade. See this newer article:
http://ask-leo.com/must_i_upgrade_msn_messenger_to_windows_live_messenger.html
Leo
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Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at September 21, 2007 12:09 PM/BAdO4Cm9CtKTW2ZSboc2Eo=
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Sheri:
Sounds like you just have a corrupt download. Try clearing your browser's cache
and downloading again.
Leo
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