Windows Live Messenger

Cheryl McCreary-Bade

Windows Live Messenger is an instant messaging program used to chat online with people anywhere in the world. Formerly called MSN Messenger, it has been around for more than a decade. The new 2011 version is designed to work on any recent windows operating system and many other systems, including ones for Blackberry, Java, iOS, S60, Symbian and Zune.

The program is part of Windows Live Essential and comes standard on most Windows computers. The program is free to download from the Internet and easy to install. It has the standard messaging feature of showing when a user is away. An added feature allows messages to be sent when a user is offline and makes it a good choice for messaging.

The Messenger allows for photos to be shared and commented on. Online videos also be watched together. Live video chatting is possible with the version for Windows Vista and Windows 7. Social networks can be set up and managed as desired. The program includes a number of games that users can enjoy. The Messenger can also be accessed and used on mobile phones and devices.

The program can be linked into other online services, like Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and windows live profile. A user can post updates from an account to these services. All contacts from these services are imported into the Messenger, and Facebook chats can be opened in the Messenger. This makes it easier to keep up with whatever online services friends are using.

The Messenger is integrated into different programs. Several years ago it joined with Yahoo! Messenger so that users of one program would not have to set up a separate account to chat. With Xbox 360 it allows Xbox users to see what games their friends are playing and text chat between them. Windows Live Messenger is a good program for online chats and much more.