Windows Messenger

Windows Messenger is a proprietary instant messaging client included in Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. It is also available for Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, beginning with version 5, but is not included in Windows Vista.

Windows Messenger should not be confused with the similarly-named Windows Live Messenger (formerly known as MSN Messenger), which is a separate instant messaging product available for download from Microsoft. It is also not related to the Messenger Service, which is a component of Windows NT's LAN Manager.

Windows Messenger has been superseded by Office Communicator in corporate environments and Windows Live Messenger for .NET Messenger Service connections.

Windows Messenger
MSRP--
Release date --
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Pros & Cons9
Reviews7
Details
Buy It
Competitors6
Comments2
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
7 reviews
14
negative
mixed
positive
1 positive
0 mixed
6 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
has relatively many features
-1agreedisagree

•
aPatch can customize messenger heavily, remove ads
-1agreedisagree

•
Minimal Interface, no clutter, low memory usage
-4agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
not many features
+4agreedisagree

•
slow file transfers (aren't peer-to-peer)
+3agreedisagree

•
ads
+2agreedisagree

•
can't see photos
+1agreedisagree

•
service sucks
+1agreedisagree

•
has many stupid features
+1agreedisagree


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

Details

Not to be confused with Windows Live Messenger

Developer:     Microsoft
Latest release:     5.1.0706 / June 4, 2007
OS:     Microsoft Windows
Genre:     Instant messaging client
License:     Freeware

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This report was started November 16, 2007 at 11:50 am by Jan
with the last edit occurring June 30, 2009 at 5:02 pm by Master2k27
This page has been viewed 1471 times, with 56 edits by 9 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Competitors

Windows Messenger is ranked 7th among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Chat, VoIP »
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
13 reviews
82
Vote! (4 votes)
vote Windows Messenger 0% vs. vote Google Talk 100%
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! (4 votes)
vote Windows Messenger 0% vs. vote Trillian 100%
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! (2 votes)
vote Windows Messenger 0% vs. vote AOL Instant Messenger 100%
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! (2 votes)
vote Windows Messenger 0% vs. vote Yahoo! Messenger 100%
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! (1 vote)
vote Windows Messenger 0% vs. vote ICQ 100%
Windows Live Messenger

Windows Live Messenger

MSRP  $0.00    Released  --
Pros
  • customizable through third party tools such as apatch and Messenger Plus!
  • Free
  • lots of features
Cons
  • Not compatible with ICQ.
  • Mac version slow, buggy and outdated.
  • Requires registration with MSN.
ProSCORE
13 reviews
32
Vote! (6 votes)
vote Windows Messenger 17% vs. vote Windows Live Messenger 83%

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Comments

1.  avatar Amanie said:

What's the difference between Windows Messenger and Windows Live Messenger? Using such similar names is just annoying.
Dec 14, 2007 7:46am
2.  avatar Jan said:

It is included with Windows XP and Windows Live Messenger is a download from the Microsoft website. Some prefer to use Windows Messenger because it is more "lightweight" (or has less features you don't use) than Windows Live Messenger.
Jan 02, 2008 11:18am
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

Master2k27

avatar
June 30, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
6 cons
have ithave it

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • not many features
  • slow file transfers (aren't peer-to-peer)
  • ads
  • can't see photos
  • service sucks
  • has many stupid features

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Yale

avatar
November 25, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
33
negative
mixed
positive
2 pros
4 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • has relatively many features
  • aPatch can customize messenger heavily, remove ads

Cons

  • slow file transfers (aren't peer-to-peer)
  • ads
  • service sucks
  • has many stupid features

Competitors

Yale prefers Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger over Windows Messenger
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

fractalhorizon

avatar
January 4, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
3 cons

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • not many features
  • slow file transfers (aren't peer-to-peer)
  • ads

Competitors

fractalhorizon prefers Trillian, ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk over Windows Messenger
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

mattthegreat

avatar
August 6, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
2 cons

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • not many features
  • can't see photos

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

wendywallflower

avatar
July 11, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
2 cons

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • not many features
  • can't see photos

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Howlsthunder

avatar
August 5, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • not many features

Competitors

Howlsthunder prefers Trillian, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk over Windows Messenger
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Jan

avatar
January 28, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons

Pros

  • Minimal Interface, no clutter, low memory usage

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Comments

"It is included with Windows XP and Windows Live Messenger is a download from the Microsoft website. Some prefer to use Windows Messenger because it is more "lightweight" (or has less features you don't use) than Windows Live Messenger."

Competitors

Jan prefers Windows Messenger over Windows Live Messenger
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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