What's the difference between Windows Live Messenger, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger Service?
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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So what, of all of that, do you actually need or want?
My recommendation is actually very, very simple:
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Windows XP users should download Windows Live Messenger and use it.
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Folks without Windows XP should stick with their existing version of MSN Messenger, or perhaps download and run a third-party application such as Trillian. (It's unclear at this point if Microsoft has an official recommendation for non-XP users.)
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Everyone should uninstall Windows Messenger. Most people simply have no use for it.
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Everyone should disable the Windows Messenger Service. Again, there's simply no need for it.
The bottom line? For Windows XP users, all you need is Windows Live Messenger. Ignore or uninstall everything else.
Related Links:
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Ask Leo! - How do I uninstall Windows Messenger?
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Ask Leo! - How do I stop MSN Messenger from starting automatically and logging me in?
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Microsoft - Windows Live Messenger
Article C2697 - June 20, 2006
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?
Posted by: mein at March 3, 2009 7:31 PMThis 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.
Posted by: IanP at March 30, 2009 4:48 PMIm 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?
Posted by: Samw at May 3, 2009 2:20 AMAfter 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??????
Posted by: kelo at May 5, 2009 4:23 PMA friend uses Instant Messenger on his Vista Lap Top, using A.O.L. I use Windows Live Messenger on an XP machine through TalkTalk. Why can we not communicate with each other - it's driving us mad.
Posted by: Dave Fink at May 7, 2009 7:33 AMI have Windows XP & Windows live Messenger/ Windows live Internet Explorer 7. As I have that printing problem in Hotmail, you said to switch to Firefox. So are you suggesting to use Firefox INSTEAD of Windows LIve Messenger?
16-Jun-2009
Posted by: renee greenberg at June 15, 2009 12:45 PM
I have always used either window messenger or MSN messenger in the past years to get to my Hotmail account without any problem. I have done all updates and all worked fine even with the new WINDOWS LIVE MESSENGER well untill this last March 2009 update and from there on the problems began. I check all the boxes to sign me in automatically when I start my laptop.... Well everytime it asks me to enter my e-mail address & password and . Is this a common problem with others? or I am the lucky one? Please help..... Thanks
Posted by: Alex at July 2, 2009 7:20 AMI need to uninstall this windows messenger..windows live messenger...MSN..I am not sure what it is...It is 4.7...but there is nothing in my add and remove for this. If there had been..I could have taken care of this myself..
Thank you ever so much.
01-Sep-2009
Posted by: MJ at August 31, 2009 1:29 PM
I am trying to drag my contacts into Windows Live Messenger from Windows Messenger as it suggests, however I get the "no" sign. How can I import my contacts list? I have XP and am using a brand new Dell that came with the newest version of messenger, but all my contacts are in the old version. Should be simple? Not!
Posted by: Patricia Tummond at September 25, 2009 5:50 AMI do not use instant messaging. I just use the MSN website (or whatever) to send and receive email. So, do I need this WLM? For me WLM only presents headaches and real frustration !!!!
Posted by: richard in denver at November 13, 2009 12:36 PM