Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
While Windows Messenger is really only available for Windows XP, there are other messaging clients by Microsoft that will support Windows 98.
Where can I download Windows Messenger for Windows 98?
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Windows Messenger is really only available for Windows XP or later, though there are versions that will run on Windows 2000. In looking into it, the Windows Messenger site itself even points elsewhere for a Windows 98 solution.
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As I've discussed before, Microsoft puts out more than one instant messaging client. Windows Messenger comes with Windows XP and is available for download as well. There are versions that can be downloaded that work with a couple of additional IM protocols (mostly Microsoft's own Exchange Instant Messaging), and those happen to run on Windows 2000 as well.
But when it comes to Windows 98, Windows Messenger politely steps out of the way.
This page about Instant Messaging (IM) Clients for Exchange 2000 Instant Messaging Service includes a table that details much more, including which version of which client you want for what type of application. And on what operating system.
The bottom line?
If you want to chat with folks on MSN, use MSN Instant Messenger It claims to support Windows 98.
If that doesn't work for you, perhaps a third-party IM client will. Trillian is one client that should work with MSN instant messenger, and also claims to support Windows 98. My only hesitation with 3rd party applications is that they are not officially supported by the .NET messaging service, and if the service changes, they can stop working without notice until they're updated to match the changes.
Article C2141 - July 28, 2004 « »
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.
January 14, 2007 11:01 PM
Leo,
this weekend I have spent a lot of hours trying to install MSN on an old WIN98SE laptop. I wanted to avoid any doubtfull free software, so, coming across your info I wantend the real Microsoft MSN. Downloaded MSN 6.2, but this wouldn't install. Instead, "Micrososft" told me that I needed a lot of security updates and other needed software installed. Thus, it took a few hours to get it all down, installed, and a dozen or so reboots. After that going over a few other microsoft pages, I was able to install MSN 7.x. Which is running a bit slow, but has a lot of nice stuff thats also in MSN 8.0 or 8.1 beta. Except the specific WinXP stuff it runs nicely. So, maybe you can update your remarks? My guess is, you must have IE6 installed plus all the security patches and than you can install MSN 7. Regards. Andre
September 2, 2007 9:22 PM
hi..i m using windows 98 and i installed msn messenger for it...he told me to upgrade..i did that too...but still now when i try to sign in it doesn't get sign in..i dont understand what pro is...i even reinstalled my windows 98 for it..but its not working still...
can u plz help me in this regard???
August 21, 2009 2:10 AM
After 25-th of August 2009, I cannot find a working version for Yahoo Messenger for Windows 98.
Can you advise me, please !
November 22, 2010 12:56 PM
Thanks for the info! I have been using MSN messenger for a long time and really have enjoyed the different things that it can do. I hope this helps people find the software and give it a try. It's great and its also free so that makes a pretty good combination! www.adressyoccasion.com
August 27, 2011 5:25 PM
Yahoo Messenger is not working on windows 98. Ive tried downloading several for windows 98 and have had no luck. Help please!
30-Aug-2011