Summary: Messenger, Messenger or Messenger? Three different programs all with similar names. We'll sort out which messenger is which.
Note: this article has been superseded. Please read What's the difference between Windows Live Messenger, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger Service?
What's the difference between MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger, and Windows Messenger?
They're all "Messenger", right? Not at all. It's a confusing mess thanks to the way Microsoft choose to name several of its applications.
We'll take this one application at a time.
•
MSN Messenger is an instant messaging client not unlike Yahoo instant messenger (YIM) or AOL instant messenger (AIM). Any windows user can download MSN Messenger. In addition MSN Messenger may be pre-installed in some cases, such as for those users who have signed up for MSN's version 8 or later service.
On Windows XP and presumably later, "Windows Messenger" is another instant messaging client, very much like MSN Messenger. It is installed when you install Windows XP and runs only on Windows XP. (The updated Windows Messenger 5.0 also runs on Windows 2000 and can be downloaded here).
While Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger look very similar, they in fact are two separate applications. The good news is that either can be used to access the same .NET Messaging Service contacts. That's the default instant messaging service for both and the one you'll use on the internet. What that really means is that if all you're doing is instant messaging your friends and family on the internet, it doesn't matter which one you use and changing from one to the other is not a problem.
Unfortunately, as I said, they are two different programs. They have slightly different feature sets and release on different schedules. 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 most likely you'll never need to know how or why you would want to.
But sadly, the confusion does not end there. There is yet another Windows "Messenger".
On Windows 2000 and Windows XP there is a service called "Messenger". It's unfortunately often 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.
Unfortunately the Messenger Service has been exploited by spammers to pop-up unwanted advertising messages on unprotected machines on the internet. The average user has absolutely no need for the Windows Messenger Service and thus it can safely be turned off. To do so, go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Services & Applications -> Services. Double click "Messenger" and set the "Startup Type" to Disabled. You can also "Stop" the service at that same dialog. (You can also grab a copy of 10 Quick Steps to Stopping Pop-Up Ads for help stopping this and other pop-up annoyances.)
Think we're done? Guess again. There's one more instant messaging client I want to briefly mention.
If you play certain games on MSN's Gaming Zone, you may also be presented with a small application called "ZoneFriends". Yes, you guessed it, it's yet another instant messaging application. It's specifically for chatting among the folks you're playing your online games with.
Thankfully though, the word "Messenger" is nowhere to be seen.
Related Links:
- Ask Leo! - Why can't I have an Audio conversation using MSN Messenger?
- Ask Leo! - Is there a site where I can get old versions of software such as MSN Messenger 5.x?
- Ask Leo! - Can I retrieve old MSN Messenger conversations?
Article C1840 - September 16, 2003
I cant get to
Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Services & Applications -> Services
so i cant disable messenger, and these popups will go on on driving me mad
I am having the same problem, I even tried doing a search for this messenger and got nothing. The pop ups are unreal. I have the google tool bar, and even that doesnt help. I have cable internet which does not help matters any.
Any advice before I take this Vaio and chuck it out the window?
Thanks
Posted by: Lady Raven at February 24, 2006 8:05 AMLady Raven
You need to be logged in with adminstrative privileges in order to shut down the Messenger service. You didn't indicate where, long that path of steps, you can't get past.
Posted by: Leo at February 24, 2006 8:55 AMIs there any guide or tutorial that explains how to use the Windows Messenger Service??
.....and for the people having troubles disabling the Messenger Service: Hold the Windows key and press "R", the 'Run' window will show, then type "services.msc" and the Windows Services Window should appear.......
Posted by: Leon at February 24, 2006 2:56 PMkeep gettint erroe message "the selected port, com 1 is not available at this time
Posted by: willie.glass at March 11, 2006 4:57 AMGood afternoon,
My question is about uninstalling MSN messenger. My friend has both 7.0 and 7.5 installed. When I try to uninstal 7.0 the computer will not let me. When I try to uninstall 7.5 it causes some important files (shared with 7.0) to be deleted, thus 7.0 does not work and it still can not be uninstalled. I don't know why both could have been installed in the first place.
Her computer is XP in Spanish. She also has the latest version of McAfee antivirus installed which I thought might be part of the problem...
If you know a solution that would be great,
Thanks,
Troy in Spain
Posted by: Troy at March 17, 2006 1:39 PMhiya do u no how 2 fix msn
Posted by: kimmy at March 22, 2006 9:51 AMHey do u know why my msn emotions pics keep deleting? its so annoying..
Posted by: Lisa at June 4, 2006 11:14 PMWhat is the difference between MSN Messenger and an Instant message?
Posted by: Robert Gagnon at June 7, 2006 10:55 AMThanks
Closing comments on this article. It's been replaced with: "What's the difference between Windows Live Messenger, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger Service?" http://ask-leo.com/10432
Posted by: Leo A. Notenboom at June 20, 2006 10:11 AMHi I'm having problems with windows live messenger...(msn)It used to run fine but now it just says freezes when i try to log in then when i try to close it i get the message saying its unresponsive. I've uninstalled and reinstalled more than 5 times now but its not helping ..anyone got any ideas on how to fix this problem?
Posted by: melissa at September 15, 2009 4:37 PM