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Windows Live Messenger

Windows Live Messenger (WLM), still commonly referred to by the previous name of MSN Messenger (MSN for short), is an instant messaging client for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Mobile, first released on December 13, 2005 by Microsoft. It is part of Microsoft's Windows Live set of online services. The current version is Windows Live Messenger 9.0, which was released on December 15, 2008.

Windows Live Messenger
MSRP $0.00
Release date --
Brand Microsoft
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Pros & Cons16
Reviews13
Details
Buy It
Competitors11
Comments3
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
13 reviews
32
negative
mixed
positive
6 positive
1 mixed
6 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
customizable through third party tools such as apatch and Messenger Plus!
+4agreedisagree

•
Free
+4agreedisagree

•
lots of features
+3agreedisagree

•
compatible with yahoo messenger
+3agreedisagree

•
Tells you when you have a unread email
+1agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Not compatible with ICQ.
+4agreedisagree

•
Mac version slow, buggy and outdated.
+4agreedisagree

•
Requires registration with MSN.
+4agreedisagree

•
Not compatible with Google chat.
+3agreedisagree

•
No IRC support
+3agreedisagree

•
no spellchecker on Windows version
+3agreedisagree

•
Not compatible with AOL chat.
+2agreedisagree

•
Not compatible with Jabber.
+2agreedisagree

•
annoying installer attempts to change computer settings and have you install a plethora of useless Microsoft software
+2agreedisagree

•
not modular - a lot of bloat that cannot be removed
0agreedisagree

•
Not compatible with yahoo messenger.
-2agreedisagree


14 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Submit a link

This report was started November 16, 2007 at 10:02 am by Erik
with the last edit occurring October 23, 2009 at 11:01 am by Cheezer
This page has been viewed 3355 times, with 158 edits by 30 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Competitors

Windows Live Messenger is ranked 6th among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Chat, VoIP »
Adium

Adium

MSRP  $0.00    Released  --
Pros
  • Tons of supported chat clients
  • Tons of styling and modification options
ProSCORE
3 reviews
100
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Windows Live Messenger 0% vs. vote Adium 100%
iChat

iChat

MSRP  --    Released  --
ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Windows Live Messenger 0% vs. vote iChat 100%
Skype

Skype

MSRP  $0.00    Released  August, 2003
Pros
  • easy to use
  • clear audio quality
  • Available on Mac, Linux and Windows
Cons
  • can be a resource hog
  • High Quality Video requires a fairly powerful computer
  • causes MS Outlook 2003 to freeze occasionally
ProSCORE
6 reviews
72
Vote! (5 votes)
vote Windows Live Messenger 20% vs. vote Skype 80%
Google Talk

Google Talk

MSRP  $0.00    Released  --
Pros
  • Integrates with Gmail
  • Unlimited file transfers
  • Uses XMPP protocol so it compatible with many Third-Party applications
Cons
  • Currently NO message encryption
  • Official stand alone application does not support Group chat
  • Lackluster interface and design.
ProSCORE
12 reviews
84
Vote! (12 votes)
vote Windows Live Messenger 42% vs. vote Google Talk 58%
Pidgin

Pidgin

MSRP  $0.00    Released  --
Pros
  • Free
  • Supports a lot of protocols
  • Doesn't take a lot of resources
Cons
  • No video/audio chat
  • Rough interface. Not as slick as more commercial programs
  • Can't easily launch IRC chat
ProSCORE
20 reviews
69
Vote! (12 votes)
vote Windows Live Messenger 50% vs. vote Pidgin 50%
Trillian

Trillian

MSRP  --    Released  --
Pros
  • Allows the use of multiple chat protocols with ONE universal app
  • Shared buddy lists from all contacts in one easily accesible space
  • Contact message history very useful (chat logs)
Cons
  • you are allways asked to go pro and pay
  • No Google talk (yet?)
  • No Skype compatibility
ProSCORE
5 reviews
64
Vote! (7 votes)
vote Windows Live Messenger 57% vs. vote Trillian 43%
Miranda IM

Miranda IM

MSRP  --    Released  --
Pros
  • freeware
ProSCORE
1 review
100
Vote! (3 votes)
vote Windows Live Messenger 67% vs. vote Miranda IM 33%
Yahoo! Messenger

Yahoo! Messenger

MSRP  --    Released  --
Pros
  • Clean design, tends to use less visual space than other IMs
  • Freeware
  • Very popular, almost everyone have account on Yahoo!
Cons
  • Crashes a lot on the Mac platform
  • Ads included, more data
  • Google Talk not supported
ProSCORE
2 reviews
43
Vote! (10 votes)
vote Windows Live Messenger 70% vs. vote Yahoo! Messenger 30%
AOL Instant Messenger

AOL Instant Messenger

MSRP  --    Released  --

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is a free, advertisement-supported proprietary instant messaging and presence computer program which uses the OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol. It was released by AOL in May of 1997. It is one of the most popular instant message programs in the United States. Stand-alone official AIM client software...

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (10 votes)
vote Windows Live Messenger 80% vs. vote AOL Instant Messenger 20%
ICQ

ICQ

MSRP  --    Released  --
Pros
  • The first widely used Internet instant messaging program
Cons
  • ICQ is often used for distribution of unwanted advertisement and spam.
  • It is not possible to cancel or delete an ICQ account.
  • Pressure on alternative clients.
ProSCORE
1 review
20
Vote! (10 votes)
vote Windows Live Messenger 80% vs. vote ICQ 20%
Windows Messenger

Windows Messenger

MSRP  --    Released  --
Pros
  • has relatively many features
  • aPatch can customize messenger heavily, remove ads
  • Minimal Interface, no clutter, low memory usage
Cons
  • not many features
  • slow file transfers (aren't peer-to-peer)
  • ads
ProSCORE
7 reviews
14
Vote! (6 votes)
vote Windows Live Messenger 83% vs. vote Windows Messenger 17%

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Comments

1.  avatar dialupinternetuser said:

I actually disabled access to this program in Windows settings.
May 12, 2008 9:29pm
2.  avatar dalley.rick@gmail.com said:

I don't like the defaults, Skype has better video, but everyone I know has this
Jul 05, 2008 3:43am
3.  avatar fractalhorizon said:

Everyone has this because it comes with MS Windows. You don't get a choice. And it pops up every time you log in unless you go and disable it.
Nov 25, 2008 7:19pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

ednaimai@live.hotmailco.jp

avatar
March 27, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
love itlove it
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • customizable through third party tools such as apatch and Messenger Plus!

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

mattthegreat

avatar
August 6, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • lots of features

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

wendywallflower

avatar
July 11, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • lots of features

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No
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