Windows Live Messenger 9: Download, info, news and screenshots

Home > Windows Live Messenger 9: Download, info, news and screenshots



What is Windows Live Messenger 9?

Windows Live Messenger 9 is the new version of Windows Live Messenger that has been in development for nearly two years. The first beta was released to testers on November 20th 2007 and the final version was released on 9th January 2009.



What's new in the program?

There are several new features coming to Windows Live Messenger 9. From the builds we have already seen we can confirm the list below:
  • Sign-in and messaging in multiple locations - You asked for it, now you have it! You can now sign into Messenger from more than one computer at a time, up to four at once. Simply sign into Messenger from one computer, install Messenger on another computer and sign in using the same account. (Only works if all computers are running Messenger 9.0 Beta. Currently enabled only for users whose Windows Live ID country is US or Canada.)

  • Signature sounds – Pick your own personal sound that your contacts will hear when you sign into Messenger (only works if you and your contacts have Messenger 9.0 Beta).

  • Per contact sounds - Pick unique sounds for each of your contacts. You will be able to tell from across the room who is sending you a message.

  • SPIM Reporting - If users send you unsolicited messages or invitations that you consider spam, you can block them and report them as spammers. If you report a user as a spammer, the messenger service will collect this data and put appropriate restrictions on the spammer accounts. All reports of spammers are kept confidential.

  • Animated Display Pictures – Show your moves! Messenger now supports animated .gif files as display pictures.

  • Link in Personal Status Message – URLs in Personal Status Messages are hot and clickable in the Messenger contact list.

  • Behind the Scenes Changes – Architectural changes that modified how things work but shouldn't have changed how things look
    1. Changes to sign-in, connectivity, presence, sending text IM's, voice & video features
    2. Windows Live Contacts Server – wlcomm.exe runs in the background to keep your contacts' information up-to-date and helps Messenger sign you in faster

  • Updated groups feature - A Group is a special chat room to which you can invite your buddies, and which stays on your contact list until you delete it (making it an instant multi-party conversation). The group will appear to be online when a another buddy in the group is also online. With a group, you can share files, photos, chat history, etc.

  • Favourites category - This category is always shown at the top, and when contacts are added to them their full details are shown in your contact list (similar to the "Show all contact details" feature in v8.5). The favourites category is also shown on older clients, where it will display as a regular category.

  • Photo sharing - You can add or remove photos from the current session, and browse through them while you and your buddy discuss the currently displayed photo. Although we couldn't try it out in detail yet, this promises to make it much easier to show all those holiday and party photos to your buddies.

  • Design tweaks - The design has been completed re-changed, with a new layout, softer icons, interesting hover effects and new notification sounds.

  • What's new feature - A new feature called "What's new" gives updates on alternating contacts at the bottom of your contact list.

  • Change your Scene - A "Change your Scene" feature allows you to change the header background image in the contact list.

  • Status changes - The statuses "Out to lunch", "In a call" and "Be right back" have been removed.


What does the new version look like?

With every milestone a new design is released, so the screenshots below are subject to change before the final release:

Beta 1 screenshots


Milestone 1 screenshots

>> Screenshot: Contact List
>> Screenshot: Conversation Window
>> Screenshot: About Box

Wave 3 screenshots

            


Where can I download Windows Live Messenger 9?

We at Messenger Stuff do not host downloads for the betas of Messenger, but we will link you to the right direction for those of you who probably only found this page looking to download Windows Live Messenger 9. There have been three builds so far: beta 1, Milestone 1 and the latest version is Wave 3.

>> Download: Windows Live Messenger 9.0.1407.1107 [Beta 1]
>> Download: Windows Live Messenger 9 build 14.0.3921.0717 [Milestone 1]
>> Download: Windows Live Messenger 9 RC build 1202 [Wave 3] [Latest]


Where can I find more information on Windows Live Messenger 9?

We have a lot of coverage of the program here at Messenger Stuff. Below is a list of all the posts on development and news concerning Windows Live Messenger 9:

>> Windows Live Messenger 2009 has gone final (apparently)
>> New information regarding Windows Live Messenger build 1202
>> Having trouble signing into the new messenger build?
>> Exclusive: Windows Live Messenger 9 RC build 1202 released
>> Windows Live Messenger 2009 RC next week!
>> A look at the new build of Windows Live Messenger 9
>> Windows Live Messenger 9 release date confirmed?
>> Wave 3: The end of skinning messenger?
>> Windows Live Messenger Wave 3 public beta released
>> Windows Live Messenger M2 screenshots and features unveiled
>> Windows Live Messenger 9 build 14.0.3921.0717 leaked
>> Skin gives Messenger a new look based on leaked screenshots
>> Windows Live Messenger 9 won't contain FULL WPF after all
>> More information concerning WLM 9 WPF effects and leaked screenshots
>> Design update: Windows Live Messenger 9
>> Windows Live Messenger 9 WILL use WPF effects!
>> Was first Messenger 9 beta public dogfood?
>> WLM 9 beta testing about to close ... until the next one
>> Windows Live Messenger 9.0 beta expanded!
>> Coming Soon: Windows Live Messenger 9.0 BETA
>> Windows Live Messenger 9.0
>> Windows Live Messenger 9?