- Publisher
- Christopher Park |
- Date
- February 13, 2013
Microsoft announced in January that Windows Live Messenger would be replaced by Skype on March 15, 2013. Many people have been wondering if you can still use Windows Live Messenger after the cut-off date.
The short answer is: No
That is unless you're in mainland China where Windows Live Messenger will still be supported. When March 15, 2013 rolls around, it's unclear how Microsoft will shutter Windows Live Messenger, but they are encouraging users to start using Skype now. You can sign in with your Microsoft account to import your contacts.
Skype is already integrated into Windows 8 and you can connect to your friends when you sign in with your Microsoft account. Skype released a quick help guide to move from Windows Live Messenger to Skype and it's very simple: Sign into Skype with your Microsoft account.
Windows Live Messenger and Skype have co-existed for some time and it appears that Microsoft is now ready to replace the aged program with the more popular chat app. One major reason that Skype is taking over messaging duties from Windows Live Messenger is that there is already a huge user base on mobile devices along with the OS-specific program on Windows and Mac.
It's best to start using Skype now as your primary messenger app if you've been using Windows Live Messenger. On March 15, it's unknown how abrupt the closure of Messenger will be. Microsoft's contact import is seamless and it shouldn't take much time to adjust to Skype if you've never used it before.
If you are really against using Skype, there are a lot of other multi-platform instant messaging apps to choose from, but the ones that support Messenger will not be able to offer that once Microsoft shuts Messenger down.
Commented
hi , i have merged my skype + hotmail id , but now i can not add email ID in my hotmail add list , pls help
the printing in skype is not usable for a person with vision problems
Skype stinks. You can't delete the current conversation without going thru a bunch of steps, and the DO NOT SAVE CONVERSATION button does not work
dont like skype it sucks! want the old msn back
Skype s*cks!!!!
So did they think about the business world who uses their Live services (Live@EDU/Office365)and this affects their network traffic/bandwidth useage?
I no longer get regular E-Mail notifications and cannot use my own emoticons. I DON'T LIKE SKYPE AT ALL.
Skype is cr*p, get rid of it.
I thought maybe with Microsoft supposedly combining the best of both, that Skype would be better than it was.... But it's not. You can't personalize it at all, can't change the colour of your font, can't separate the contacts list from the conversation window without seriously slowing your computer down. Is Microsoft taking into account customer opinion? Or are they assuming that more people using Skype means their MSN customers are going to like it too?I don't understand why they can't bring some of Skype's top features into MSN and give customers the option of using one or the other or both without getting rid of either.
hiii
Skype s*cks. Now I use Trillian instead. Too bad Microsoft for ditching a good IM over a bad one.
I thought maybe with Microsoft supposedly combining the best of both, that Skype would be better than it was.... But it's not. You can't personalize it at all, can't change the colour of your font, can't separate the contacts list from the conversation window without seriously slowing your computer down. Is Microsoft taking into account customer opinion? Or are they assuming that more people using Skype means their MSN customers are going to like it too?I don't understand why they can't bring some of Skype's top features into MSN and give customers the option of using one or the other or both without getting rid of either
Microsoft is striking out here.
Should have taken best of Skype and merged it onto Messenger. Messenger UI is much better than Skype.
Windows 8, Surface , Messenger retirement = 3 strikes (Just have to wait and see how they scr*w up OFFICE next)
I'm embracing Chrome, Google Talk , Android... its been a great 25 years Microsoft.
No, this s*cks.
Messenger needs to stay. C'mon really, skype..
have no idea what you tried to do but it was wrong ,, can't get e;mails can't get anything to work ... come on why fix things if they wern't broke ,,,,put it back the way it was
Skype is cr*p..its deleted 8 years worth of messenger contacts overnight and wont let me re add anyone
how do I email pictures and files with Skype?
I THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE ASKED YOUR CUSTOMERS ABOUT A BIG STEP LIKE THIS. MESSENGER DOES SO MUCH MORE THAN SKYPE...THIS IS LIKE PUTTING US IN A SINKING BOAT WITH NO OARS TO PADDLE TO LAND. BAD MOVE, AND YOU MAY LOSE MORE THAN MESSENGER FANS.
What the hell were they thinking??? Skype totally s*cks!!! You can't even use a damn color for your font! No visual colors or backgrounds at all. And as far as I can see no more games. I'll be looking around for a new im service!!!
This s*cks and I plan to take all my messenger contacts today and move them to my private email and when I wish to chat I will find another chat program to use! So long msn for making my decisions for me. A true dictatorship on board with the agenda!
Where are the Games on skype?
Just starting a small business and love the messenger service provided but, if I have to go to Skype I guess it's time to move on. Still got 2 weeks left to clear all my data out of live. Thanks for downgrading what was perfectly fine!
Skype really really s*cks the big one, I did the merge and everything went great then all my contacts dissapeared and skype won't help me get them back
I tried Skype and it blows. I even tried the latest version and it still blows. I want my winks and my Live messenger.
Sorry Christopher but you are wrong. I can still use my Messenger to chat to people I know in China from Australia and they can chat back to me. I did this on the 9th and 10th of April 2013.
I can use Messenger and chat with my friends( on 10th,9th of April) in Hungary
I can use Messenger and chat with my friends on April 11th in province of Palermo.
Skype announced in February that they pushed the date to April 8, 2013.
http://onsoftware.en.softonic.com/skype-pushes-back-windows-live-messenger-discontinuation-starts-testing-video-voicemail
On the 8th, Skype said the rollout would take a couple weeks to complete.
http://onsoftware.en.softonic.com/migration-from-windows-live-messenger-to-skype-begins-today
So even though it works now, you may find that Messenger will not connect at some point in the future.
Skype does stink its not fun anymore cant even put family and friends separate and they emotions are well as elderly person who never uses bad language ITS CR*P will definately use someone else
SKYPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT MY OLDEST VERSION BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im a angry costumer right now.
thi sis rediculous!!! cghanges made dont work. it is not user friendly. who thinks these thing up anyway??? give me a way to revert to the old version PLEASE!!!!
I dont see any good thing about the change , my messenger was good , so is skype , why not keep both separed everything change hotmail sameway it was good the way it was before,
I cannot add my hotmail NEW contacts if they dont have a skype ID typical cr*p site flexibility is what is needed - someone tell me hoe to add friends who only have msn hotmail ids???? unhappy :(((
Skype s*cks. I was able to get my old messenger back but for how long? Skypes print is small and there are no custom options like the old messenger had. Bad move.
Have to agree with other users here. MSN/ windows live users were forced to switch to skype when us live users were given no choice and skype is no good. Would be nice to have the windows live messenger back, but guess we`ll have find an older version.
skype is bad for business ,no pop up on the emails so i keep mising orders !!!!!!!!!!!!!wth did you do this for???
need a new one for emails that tells me "new email" ??
anyone pls help
i cant run this c**p
i switched over to skype when i didn`t want it , could not access my old msn account to check emails over last couple of days . thuoght my old mmsn messages would have been transferred over aswell , but nothing . abit pissed off with this as needed some of my old messages from msn for infomation and contacts . thxs for nothing skype . the ultimate word NOTHING .
Windows live messenger won't let me sign in today! They forced me to use their new version though I chose the 'no' on the option they gave! Don't understand why they force people to use Skype! Wish they consider the consumers feelings and get msn back, can they?!