Tag - MSN-Messenger-7
I already briefly mentioned you can resource hack into MSN Messenger and trick the Messenger servers you are using an newer, secure version. Ahmad, creator of A-Patch created this tutorial on how to do so.
You're done, run Messenger.
Use this at your own risk. This should also work on 7.5 builds. I hope to create a small patch soon which will do all this at a click of a button. This is a good method that will allow you to use your favourite Messenger client again.
- Exit Messenger and open up msnmsgr.exe using Resource Hacker.
- Expand the 'Version Info' folder.
- Expand the '1' folder.
- Click on the green icon numbered '1033' (number might be different if using a different language, that's fine)
- Now on the right side of the window change:
VALUE 'FileVersion', '7.0.0816' to
VALUE 'FileVersion', '7.0.0820' and change:
VALUE 'ProductVersion', '7.0.0816' to
VALUE 'ProductVersion', '7.0.0820' - Click the Compile Script button at the top.
- Click File > Save.
You're done, run Messenger.
Use this at your own risk. This should also work on 7.5 builds. I hope to create a small patch soon which will do all this at a click of a button. This is a good method that will allow you to use your favourite Messenger client again.
Good news for Windows XP users still wanting to use MSN Messenger. The new 7.0.0820 build released a couple of weeks ago now allows XP users to sign into it, without any hassle. Anand from the MessengerSays blog has this to say:
This is great news and it shows that the Messenger team are listening to its users.
>> Source: MessengerSays blog
We've seen feedback from several people that they would like to stay on a version of MSN Messenger. Given that many of us currently on the Windows Live Messenger team also worked on MSN Messenger for years, we can appreciate the sentiment. Based on this, we have a new option we hope you'll like.
For those of you on XP who are passionate about staying on MSN Messenger, we've now released the new, more secure build of MSN Messenger 7.0 build 0820 for Windows XP, and we recommend you install and use this build (rather than running MSN Messenger 7.5 on XP in Windows 2000 compatibility mode as we realize some of you are doing). If you currently have MSN Messenger 7.5 installed, we recommend you uninstall it via Add/Remove Program
For those of you on XP who are passionate about staying on MSN Messenger, we've now released the new, more secure build of MSN Messenger 7.0 build 0820 for Windows XP, and we recommend you install and use this build (rather than running MSN Messenger 7.5 on XP in Windows 2000 compatibility mode as we realize some of you are doing). If you currently have MSN Messenger 7.5 installed, we recommend you uninstall it via Add/Remove Program
This is great news and it shows that the Messenger team are listening to its users.
>> Source: MessengerSays blog
Microsoft have began 'phase 2' of updating Windows users to the fixed builds of MSN/ Windows Live Messenger. Now users using Windows 95 to Windows 2000 will have to update to MSN Messenger 7.0.0820:
What I find interesting is that Microsoft are still forcing the update despite the high amount of criticising comments left on the MessengerSays blog.
In the second phase, we are turning on the Mandatory Security Upgrades for Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows ME. As noted in the security bulletin, we have built a new version of MSN Messenger 7.0, build number 7.0.0820, that will run on Windows 2000. This version of MSN Messenger has also been tested for Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows ME. Users should expect these upgrades to start soon.
To recap, the set of Messenger clients that do not have the webcam security vulnerability are:
To recap, the set of Messenger clients that do not have the webcam security vulnerability are:
- Windows Live Messenger 8.1 (for XP and Vista)
- MSN Messenger 7.0.0820 (for Windows 2000 and Windows 98, SE, ME)
- Windows Messenger – all versions (XP only)
- MSN Messenger 5.0 for Windows 95.
- Microsoft Messenger for Macintosh (all versions)
What I find interesting is that Microsoft are still forcing the update despite the high amount of criticising comments left on the MessengerSays blog.
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
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:
Even tho it says in the system requirements of 7.0.0820 that you can run it on WinXP you are not supposed to do so. WinXP has gotten into the requirements by mistake, this will be fixed. MSN Messenger 7.0.0820 will only run on OS'es pre-Windows XP..all on WinXP and Vista will have to upgrade to Windows Live Messenger.
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
As I predicted a couple of days ago a new build has been released for MSN Messenger 7.0, fixing a known webcam exploit. The update has come in to protect Windows users using Windows 2000 or below. XP users will be forced to upgrade to Windows Live Messenger 8.1 or higher.
Since the release there have been numerous requests by XP users who still want to keep MSN Messenger. Some people are very reluctant to use Windows Live Messenger for a variety if reasons. So what can you do to keep using MSN Messenger? Well there is a choice ...
First of all you could trick the Messenger protocol into keep using MSN Messenger, although there are no know tools for this yet you will probably see one crop up soon. The most common fixes are either changing the Messenger build number using resource hacker or selecting the compatibly mode when running the program (see screenshot).
Messenger MVP Sunshine had this to say on the issue:
Users should be promoted of the security update, but forcing users to switch to what seems like a new program is suicide for Messenger. I think things like this is what is putting MSN/ Windows Live Messenger firmly in the past, the market of instant messaging has changed since the glory days of just chatting to friends.
>> Download MSN Messenger 7.0.0820
Since the release there have been numerous requests by XP users who still want to keep MSN Messenger. Some people are very reluctant to use Windows Live Messenger for a variety if reasons. So what can you do to keep using MSN Messenger? Well there is a choice ...
First of all you could trick the Messenger protocol into keep using MSN Messenger, although there are no know tools for this yet you will probably see one crop up soon. The most common fixes are either changing the Messenger build number using resource hacker or selecting the compatibly mode when running the program (see screenshot).
Messenger MVP Sunshine had this to say on the issue:
If you are on WinXP and you don't like Windows Live Messenger you can also get the renewed MSN Messenger 7 version:
MSN Messenger 7.0.0820 for Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Millenium and Windows XP
The workaround posted here will probably stop working soon too, eventually you will not be able to sign in with 7.5 anymore (as long as you are using it you are also putting your comp at risk)! Users on Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Millenium will be forced to upgrade to 7.0.0820.
Detailed info: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-054, Vulnerability in MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger Could Allow Remote Code Execution (942099)
MSN Messenger 7.0.0820 for Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Millenium and Windows XP
The workaround posted here will probably stop working soon too, eventually you will not be able to sign in with 7.5 anymore (as long as you are using it you are also putting your comp at risk)! Users on Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Millenium will be forced to upgrade to 7.0.0820.
Detailed info: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-054, Vulnerability in MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger Could Allow Remote Code Execution (942099)
Users should be promoted of the security update, but forcing users to switch to what seems like a new program is suicide for Messenger. I think things like this is what is putting MSN/ Windows Live Messenger firmly in the past, the market of instant messaging has changed since the glory days of just chatting to friends.
>> Download MSN Messenger 7.0.0820