MSN Messenger (Windows Live Messenger) 2011

Before we kick things there is a little something that we need to clarify. MSN is a Microsoft web portal that provides access to all sorts of info; it also provides access to an instant messaging (IM) client that used to be called MSN Messenger when it was first released in 1999. I say “used to be” because the Redmond-based software developer rebranded it as Windows Live Messenger in 2005 when it rolled out the Windows Live set of online services that Windows Live Messenger is part of. But the name bears little significance; what is important is the functionality the software provides. Just to be on board with the rebranding, we’ll use Windows Live Messenger from here on.

The main task Windows Live Messenger has to perform is instant messaging (IM). This basically goes something like this: you download and install the software, log in, select a contact and communicate. You type a message in the IM client’s window and when you hit send the message is delivered to that contact. On the other end of the line, your friend can reply in the same manner. Everything is done in real-time, of course.

Since just typing away in a simple IM window is somewhat boring, the software comes with some customization options. There are for example custom scenes that you can use, also animated display images, hundreds of fonts and plenty of colors. To spice it up a bit, you can customize Windows Live Messenger to play custom sounds as well.

It is a well known fact that your contacts list is populated with people you rarely talk to; it is equally true that with some contacts you will talk frequently. It would be a good idea than to have easy access to the people you socialize with on a frequent basis. Windows Live Messenger comes with a favorites feature that lets you put these contacts at the top of the list. Consequently you will always have easy access to them. And if you want to talk with more than 1 person, say with several people at the same time, there’s a groups feature. Just set up a group and you can talk with all the people in that group in one window.

There are other ways in which you can socialize via Windows Live Messenger. You can for example make a PC-to-PC call which will not cost you a thing. You just need Windows Live Messenger, a microphone or web cam, and a friend to talk to. Alternatively you can make PC-to-phone calls, but for this functionality you will have to pay. Alternatively yet again, you can send a SMS message from within Windows Live Messenger to that contact’s mobile phone.

Sharing photos is yet another cool feature included in Windows Live Messenger. You can share photos with others by drag and dropping them in the IM window. The picture can be thus easily viewed by the person on the other end. If you want to, you can let him/her save that picture.

Last but not least, Windows Live Messenger comes with a games and applications feature that lets you play various games in the IM client’s window and open shared external apps.

Windows Live Messenger is available free of charge, but it is ad-supported. There are localized versions available in over 50 languages.

Pros
Comes free of charge
Customizable
Favorites and groups
Share photos
Play games
Very easy to use
Very popular instant messaging client

Cons
Ad-supported

MSN Messenger (Windows Live Messenger) has been reviewed by George Norman on 21 Sep 2009. Based on the user interface, features and complexity, Findmysoft has rated MSN Messenger (Windows Live Messenger) 5 out of 5 stars, naming it Essential