I've been receiving a lot of emails the past couple of days and reading many comments on various Messenger blogs and forums about Windows XP users being forced to upgrade from MSN Messenger to Windows Live Messenger. To sum up there are many users who find the program new and exciting, and of course those who find the update restrictive and incompatible with their system.

Windows Live Messenger is seen as a resource hogging, new designed, new branded MSN Messenger and people don't seem to like it. Many people stick with MSN Messenger for a variety of reasons as Windows Live Messenger may have compatibly issues or people simply don't like change.

MessengerSays, the official development blog of Windows Live Messenger has posted about the forced update three times now. They are addressing problems and listening to feedback. Nevertheless, there seems no sign that the team will reverse their decision.

The ionic thing about this was Microsoft forced users to update to fix a security hole that wasn't even being exploited. This was to protect user's computers and of course avoid a bad experience using Messenger. However, by doing this they have created more tension between the program and its users on a scale worse than what a virus could do. In my opinion MSN Messenger should still be available to everyone.

Another thing to note is, if you're on Windows XP and using the new MSN Messenger 7.0.0820 build to avoid the update, you will no longer be able to sign in. According to Messenger MVP Sunshine you will be forced to update:



Basically if you're using Windows XP, MSN Messenger is a thing of the past. Say hello to Windows Live Messenger or find an alterative client. If you have an issue report it to the offical Windows Live Messenger newsgroups.

MessengerSays: Upgrading to Messenger 8.1
MessengerSays: We hear you!
MessengerSays: Securing Messenger