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Mandatory update to Windows Live Messenger 2009 explained
on Fri 13 Nov 2009 (20:19 GMT) (9888 views)
on Fri 13 Nov 2009 (20:19 GMT) (9888 views)
Over the past couple of months Microsoft have been rolling out prompts to optionally upgrade to Windows Live Messenger 2009 while discontinuing support for older versions of their popular IM client. This is common practice and the schedule has been published well in advance. As ever with these updates there have been a series of requests to keep using an older version of Messenger and this post is an attempt to persuade otherwise.
Why do I have to update?
Quiet simply, older versions of Windows Live Messenger have several security holes, bugs and compatibility issues. In order to keep the service running smoothly Microsoft aims to keep its users using the latest versions of MSN/ Windows Live Messenger.
Can I still use Windows Live Messenger 8.1 or 8.5?
Officially no. If you attempt to sign in using either version a message will be displayed asking you to update and the sign-in process will be terminated. However, it is still possible to "trick" the servers into thinking you're using a newer version of Messenger. You can read some instructions on how to do that here. This however is highly unrecommended as you are exposing yourself to many security threats as explained by this Micrsoft Security Advisory (973882) article.
What are the problems with using an outdated version?
Messenger expert and enthusiast CookieRevised, who has voiced strong concerns over users attempting to use older and unsupported versions of Windows Live Messenger had this to say:
Common problems and solutions
Many thanks to MeEtc over at the Messenger Plus! Forums for supplying this information.
I get an error saying "Windows Live Communication Platform has encountered an Error" and Messenger will not run.
Windows Live Support has found a fix for this issue and posted it on their blog: http://messenger-support.spaces.live.com/blog/cns...8B853F!15941.entry
I don't like how the new version looks. How can I change it?
There are a few ways that the interface has changed. First is the addition of scenes. When a conversation window is open with a contact, their scene and background colour will automatically be applied. This can be changed by going to Tools > Options and select "Use Default Scene" from any conversation window.
Second, using a Messenger Plus! skin can change the interface completely.
Why do I have to update?
Quiet simply, older versions of Windows Live Messenger have several security holes, bugs and compatibility issues. In order to keep the service running smoothly Microsoft aims to keep its users using the latest versions of MSN/ Windows Live Messenger.
Can I still use Windows Live Messenger 8.1 or 8.5?
Officially no. If you attempt to sign in using either version a message will be displayed asking you to update and the sign-in process will be terminated. However, it is still possible to "trick" the servers into thinking you're using a newer version of Messenger. You can read some instructions on how to do that here. This however is highly unrecommended as you are exposing yourself to many security threats as explained by this Micrsoft Security Advisory (973882) article.
What are the problems with using an outdated version?
Messenger expert and enthusiast CookieRevised, who has voiced strong concerns over users attempting to use older and unsupported versions of Windows Live Messenger had this to say:
There is actually no reason why you should not update... except for the looks maybe (but that can be altered with Plus! skinning). Moreover, not updating means that you will be vulnerable to possible bugs, and even worse, security issues.
Common problems and solutions
Many thanks to MeEtc over at the Messenger Plus! Forums for supplying this information.
I get an error saying "Windows Live Communication Platform has encountered an Error" and Messenger will not run.
Windows Live Support has found a fix for this issue and posted it on their blog: http://messenger-support.spaces.live.com/blog/cns...8B853F!15941.entry
I don't like how the new version looks. How can I change it?
There are a few ways that the interface has changed. First is the addition of scenes. When a conversation window is open with a contact, their scene and background colour will automatically be applied. This can be changed by going to Tools > Options and select "Use Default Scene" from any conversation window.
Second, using a Messenger Plus! skin can change the interface completely.
Prompt to upgrade goes widespread, but is it still wrong?
on Sat 10 Feb 2007 (16:48 GMT) (1642 views)
on Sat 10 Feb 2007 (16:48 GMT) (1642 views)
According to Marty at the Windows Live Messenger team blog (MessengerSays) anyone using a version of Windows Live Messenger (either a version 8 or a 8.1 beta) will now be prompted to update when they sign in.
Last week we reported how people using previous 8.1 beta version we being prompted to update, but the updates were wrong and stated that a new BETA version was available - not the final version.
Judging by a screenshot posted with the blog post at MessengerSays it appears that this error still exists. This is understandable if the text for the update checker is coded into the program (all though it means that the programmers probably didn't think that the next version after the last 8.1 beta would be a final version) but if the text is retrieved from a remote server then this is a careless error, and could very well affect current version 8 users and tell them to upgrade to what they think is a beta, which they may refuse to do.
In the same blog post Marty says that the final version of WLM 8.1 has been downloaded over 60 million times, and that the download rate is continuing to increase, probably mainly due to update prompts.
Since Thursday all users of Windows Live Messenger 8 or an 8.1 beta should be getting an upgrade toast on sign in that tells them of the availability of the final version of 8.1, and over the next month they will be widening the update to all MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger users running Windows XP or Vista.
(... and in case you were wondering, yes - news is slow at the moment)
Source: MessengerSays blog post
Last week we reported how people using previous 8.1 beta version we being prompted to update, but the updates were wrong and stated that a new BETA version was available - not the final version.
Judging by a screenshot posted with the blog post at MessengerSays it appears that this error still exists. This is understandable if the text for the update checker is coded into the program (all though it means that the programmers probably didn't think that the next version after the last 8.1 beta would be a final version) but if the text is retrieved from a remote server then this is a careless error, and could very well affect current version 8 users and tell them to upgrade to what they think is a beta, which they may refuse to do.
In the same blog post Marty says that the final version of WLM 8.1 has been downloaded over 60 million times, and that the download rate is continuing to increase, probably mainly due to update prompts.
Since Thursday all users of Windows Live Messenger 8 or an 8.1 beta should be getting an upgrade toast on sign in that tells them of the availability of the final version of 8.1, and over the next month they will be widening the update to all MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger users running Windows XP or Vista.
(... and in case you were wondering, yes - news is slow at the moment)
Source: MessengerSays blog postUnforced prompt to upgrade to 8.1 has the wrong information
on Mon 05 Feb 2007 (17:28 GMT) (2466 views)
on Mon 05 Feb 2007 (17:28 GMT) (2466 views)
Looking at Mess.be just now, if you are a user of Windows Live Messenger 8.1 beta, you are prompted to upgrade to the latest official version. However the prompt says a new beta is available, which it untrue, it is the official release and it leads to an outdated 'What's new' page.
Now the only way I can see this mistake happening is if someone not on the Messenger team added the prompt and made the website information. In which case it is a poor way to manage a program. I always see it as the small things that count, the attention to detail is what is best.
OK, this is maybe not the biggest scandal of the year, I just thought I would past this 'news' on. Hopefully something interesting I can post about will happen soon.
Now the only way I can see this mistake happening is if someone not on the Messenger team added the prompt and made the website information. In which case it is a poor way to manage a program. I always see it as the small things that count, the attention to detail is what is best.
OK, this is maybe not the biggest scandal of the year, I just thought I would past this 'news' on. Hopefully something interesting I can post about will happen soon.
Fanatic Live is reporting the new public beta of Windows Live Messenger 8.1 is being directly targeted towards Windows Vista users. The current public release has some major issues with Windows Vista, like many other software, although this is odd from a Microsoft product:
Source: Fanatic Live
Having signed into Windows Live Messenger 8.0.0812 on Windows Vista just before, I was prompted with an optional update. Not expecting an update from 8.0 to 8.1 beta, I did some testing, and have come to the conclusion that the Windows Live Messenger team is confident version 8.1.0168 brings enough fixes to warrant an automatic update.
Source: Fanatic LiveA new Windows Live Messenger build has been released via the auto-update system again. Details of any changes in this build are totally unknown it seems like an unneeded update for testing, however it is thought to be part of kicking off and disallowing users using the old beta build.
More information on this update soon (if there is any).
More information on this update soon (if there is any).
New 8.1 beta build for Windows Live Messenger via auto-update
on Wed 13 Sep 2006 (15:17 GMT) (2681 views)
on Wed 13 Sep 2006 (15:17 GMT) (2681 views)
A new beta build has come out for Windows Live Messenger using the auto-update system, upgrading you to Windows Live Messenger 8.1.0066.
The installer (which I often criticize) has been changed to log more information for Microsoft, as a consequence it is now ever slower! I seriously did not think it could be slower, it drives me mad trying to install Messenger, it is just ridiculous how poor the installer is. What is being logged by the installer is currently unknown, so you should not use it unless you are an official connect tester. Other new features include:
Download Windows Live Messenger 8.1.0066
The installer (which I often criticize) has been changed to log more information for Microsoft, as a consequence it is now ever slower! I seriously did not think it could be slower, it drives me mad trying to install Messenger, it is just ridiculous how poor the installer is. What is being logged by the installer is currently unknown, so you should not use it unless you are an official connect tester. Other new features include:
- Appearing offline no longer forces you to close your conversation window.
- Quicker to sign into Messenger (8-15 seconds, compared to 15-25 seconds before).
- Improvements to my used display pictures area.
Download Windows Live Messenger 8.1.0066Page: 1
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