Windows Live Messenger Going to Close on March 15, 2013, Upgrade to Skype Now
Windows Live Messenger (WLM) is one of the most popular and widely used instant messenger (IM) for Windows OS. Its a part of Microsoft’s Windows Essentials suite (formerly known as Windows Live Essentials). People are using this IM client since long time but now they’ll have to leave it even if they don’t want to do.
Last year in May 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype and announced later that the company will replace its Windows Live Messenger service with the new Skype in first quarter of 2013 and now the time has come.
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Microsoft has sent emails to Windows Live Messenger users asking them to upgrade to Skype because the company is going to close Windows Live Messenger service on March 15, 2013.
Following are the content of the email:
On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together. Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You’ll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet.
So if you are a Windows Live Messenger user, you have only 2 months left to enjoy the good old IM client. After March 15, 2013, you’ll not be able to sign into Windows Live Messenger and you’ll get an option to upgrade to Skype which will automatically uninstall existing Windows Live Messenger from your system.
Its better to install Skype now and get used to the new software. Skype also allows you to send instant messages, make video calls and call phones from your PC, Mac, mobile phones and other devices.
You just need to install Skype and sign in using your existing Microsoft account which you were using to sign into Windows Live Messenger and Skype will automatically import your all messenger contacts for you. So the whole process is quite simple. If you already have a Skype account, it’ll allow you to merge contacts of both your Skype account and your Microsoft account. After merging, always sign in using your Microsoft account if you want to access both contacts: Skype as well as Microsoft account. Thanks to “macpro622776” for this tip.
Interested people can download and upgrade to Skype using following link:
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What do you think about this move? Do you also use Windows Live Messenger to chat with your friends? Are you going to upgrade to Skype or will look for a new IM client?
I have used Windows Messenger, but not as much as I use Skype. Given that Microsoft has acquired Skype, an IM/Video chat service doing the same thing as the messenger, I think it makes sense to only keep one of them. That way more support will be provided to that single program being Skype.
is there a way to merge the contacts from your existing Skype account and your Windows Live Messenger accounts?
i dont use skype or wlm, despite that i have them. but this is sad news for the wlm.
Owhh, i dont use Windows live messenger or something, im not interested by the way , you have designed nice blog…
@Joshua – There is and I successfully went through that process. From memory it asked you for your current Skype account if you have one when you sign in using your Microsoft account for the first time.
All please keep in mind that you must sign in using your Microsoft account after merging with your current Skype account in order to access your Microsoft contacts. (maybe this should be added to the article?)
Thanks for the heads up, but will Skype alert me if there is new Email in my inbox?
Why are they forcing it? I remember when Microsoft made WLM communicate with Yahoo Messenger. The nice thing about that is you can choose between the two IM clients. With this Skype fiasco, you can’t. Why can’t Microsoft let us decide like last time?
@Nut
I tried that but I’m not seeing that option. That is one of the reasons I love WLM. Easy to access your Hotmail inbox.
As I write this signing in with your Microsoft account fails in Skype.
OK it’s working now. Jesus Skype is ugly and no where near as user friendly as WLM was.
Hope MS adds an option to let Skype alert if there are new Emails, cuz that’s one of the feature of Messenger that I love.
For usability, as a Jaws screen reader user, I didn’t have much problem, Jaws worked much better now with Skype, especially if a special script is installed.
However one problem is, I can’t hear any sound in Skype for Windows. Even sounds like the sign in sound did not play when signing in, which is quite weird. Anyway to fix this?
Is it possible to create a theme\skin that replicates wlm in skype?That would be awesome!!!!
@Wildgoosespeeder, it’s probably because Microsoft doesn’t want to have to deal with 2 major softwares at the some time.
I thought it was time…
I didn’t use WLM for chat and video calls, really only for the email and calender notifications. But, now that my Windows Phone is usually on my desk, that’s not even needed.
bye bye WLM, I hate skype its a lot of bollocks and you can’t access you emails via desktop, its all web based. I like to keep important emails as receipts, there is no client you can download.deleted microsoft skype and WLM. I am now on Google, can access it on computer, phone and web and I can also add my home email address, Just what I needed. Go google it the best. Microsoft have shot themselves in the foot.
@Robert James – Your post makes no sense. How is switching to Gmail any different? You say you can’t access your email via desktop and yet you switch to Gmail? You do realise that Hotmail/Outlook offer POP access exactly the same as Gmail does?
You fail to mention however, that skype is absolute garbage as an actual instant messenger platform. It lacks photosharing, and many of the features that live messenger had. Furthermore, in order to do a lot of other things, that windows live messenger had, you have to ‘call’ the person just to use them. Some people do not have actual microphones, or webcams. or some people simply do not like voice/video calling. I am one of them. Skype recently seems to have added in the ability to leave offline messages (Which is a good start) but they still lack photosharing. It is sent as a file rather than popping up in the window itself. It also lacks the custom emoticons and email checking that windows live messenger had.
I really don’t like skype,no photosharing,you can’t unblock contacts you have blocked like you could with WLM,the unblock feature is greyed out so you can’t use it,it doesn’t let you know when you have emails and you can’t get to them with one click of a button like you could before.
Today I was forced to “upgrade” to Skype.Utter crap!
@VG
For some weird reason Skype won’t save my username and password so I can just log-in each time and I am getting tired of this crap!Is there a way I can do that with Skype?
Thanks
Moving from Microsoft Live Messenger to Skype is like moving from a Ferrari to a VW Beetle(not that I have anything against the Beetle)! 🙁 Skype was designed by brainless idiots!
^^ No idea. I have already uninstalled Skype. 😉
Skype? Utter rubbish, will no longer be instant messaging. What is it with MSN? If it’s not broke – DON’T FIX IT!!!!!
I am 73 yrs old,my family bought me a lap top for my 70th birthday.Just when I have got the hang of it,I have been forced to upgrade to the amalgamated skype & windows messenger.I now find I have lost my incoming email page.When I ‘phoned the help line(in India) they told me I had lost all my Microsoft connections and offered to re-connect for a fee of £59-95.Why should I have to pay for something which is no fault on my part.
I feel I am right back to square 1 and will have to start learning all over again.I am really confused!
dam I have to fine a new instant messaging. I tried Skype net but I don’t like it its not user friendly and mircosoft needs to stop changing what not broke
So you say this gone? then why is it still being updated by Microsoft? I still have it on my computer, I couldn’t close my “LIVE” account… so what’s up.. I still have Microsoft essentials, which never worked for s**t, and I still have messenger.. so What?
Karen
messengergeek.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/use-messenger-reviver-2-to-bring-back-messenger-and-beat-skype/
This app works!
No offense here, but you can update Skype. You can now photo-share and unblock contacts.