Official (Connect) beta testers of Windows Live Messenger 8.1 beta have just been informed that the inevitable has happened and it has (finally) been released.
The surprisingly long beta period, which began on the 7th September last year (and opened up to a public beta on the 31st October), has not seen many major changes since the first beta release - apart from some new beta features being removed.
The new features since the last 8.0 release will be posted/updated soon.
It looks like this version has been released just in time to coincide with the release of Windows Vista, especially seeing as it is the first version of Windows Live Messenger to be fully compatible with Vista - and as we reported last year even the betas appeared to run better on Vista than 8.0 versions.
If you like to patch Messenger then you'll be glad to hear that Mess Patch has already been updated for the new version. For more information and to find out when A-Patch gets updated keep an eye on our "Visually Patching Windows Live Messenger" guide on the forums.
The latest versions of Messenger Plus! Live and StuffPlug 3 both appear to be fully compatible with the new release, apart from one small issue in StuffPlug 3 with the talking to blocked contacts feature which is automatically disabled due to incompatibility.
Update: The creators of Messenger Plus! and StuffPlug have both confirmed that their addons are compatible. Patchou has said "As far as I can see, the current release of Plus! works perfectly with it". He also asked for any bugs found to be posted in the Bugs section of the Messenger Plus! Live forums. The Blasphemer said "Just tested my current development version of SP3 with WLM8.1, everything seems to work fine except for two features. So yes, I will probably push out a new version in a few days (possibly weeks)" - and we'll tell you when the new version is out.
Download Windows Live Messenger 8.1.0178.0 (choose your language out of the 34 available)
The surprisingly long beta period, which began on the 7th September last year (and opened up to a public beta on the 31st October), has not seen many major changes since the first beta release - apart from some new beta features being removed.
The new features since the last 8.0 release will be posted/updated soon.
It looks like this version has been released just in time to coincide with the release of Windows Vista, especially seeing as it is the first version of Windows Live Messenger to be fully compatible with Vista - and as we reported last year even the betas appeared to run better on Vista than 8.0 versions.
If you like to patch Messenger then you'll be glad to hear that Mess Patch has already been updated for the new version. For more information and to find out when A-Patch gets updated keep an eye on our "Visually Patching Windows Live Messenger" guide on the forums.
The latest versions of Messenger Plus! Live and StuffPlug 3 both appear to be fully compatible with the new release, apart from one small issue in StuffPlug 3 with the talking to blocked contacts feature which is automatically disabled due to incompatibility.
Update: The creators of Messenger Plus! and StuffPlug have both confirmed that their addons are compatible. Patchou has said "As far as I can see, the current release of Plus! works perfectly with it". He also asked for any bugs found to be posted in the Bugs section of the Messenger Plus! Live forums. The Blasphemer said "Just tested my current development version of SP3 with WLM8.1, everything seems to work fine except for two features. So yes, I will probably push out a new version in a few days (possibly weeks)" - and we'll tell you when the new version is out.
Download Windows Live Messenger 8.1.0178.0 (choose your language out of the 34 available)TheBlasphemer has been busy for the last couple of days fixing all of the remaining bugs and the broken features in StuffPlug 3.
He has released another new version (3.0.286) which fixes the talk to a blocked contact, keyboard LED flashing and custom emoticon and display picture stealer features, as well as all the parsing errors and several other bugs. There are also translation and UI improvements.
This is the most stable release of StuffPlug 3 so far, although it is still only compatible with Windows Live Messenger 8.1 and according to TB: "StuffPlug 3 will be compatible with WLM 8.1 and higher. WLM 8.0 will not be supported".
Download StuffPlug 3.0.286 BETA (direct link)
Release announcement at stuffplug.com
He has released another new version (3.0.286) which fixes the talk to a blocked contact, keyboard LED flashing and custom emoticon and display picture stealer features, as well as all the parsing errors and several other bugs. There are also translation and UI improvements.
This is the most stable release of StuffPlug 3 so far, although it is still only compatible with Windows Live Messenger 8.1 and according to TB: "StuffPlug 3 will be compatible with WLM 8.1 and higher. WLM 8.0 will not be supported".
Download StuffPlug 3.0.286 BETA (direct link) Release announcement at stuffplug.comJust a quick post to let you know the new beta of StuffPlug 3 has been updated. According to stuffplug.com the update fixes a few bugs and will check for more system and software requirements, so it will only install if it is compatible with your computer and software. The update also includes 20 additional languages.
StuffPlug 3 only works on the latest version of Windows Live Messenger 8.1 beta, as TB always uses the most recent version of Messenger that he can find to test on before he releases anything. Using the current official release of Messenger (8.0) has some issues which will take time to fix (and you will be warned that you do not have the correct version for it to run on when trying to install).
Download StuffPlug 3.0.264 BETA (direct link)
Info about the bug fixes from the previous beta version (at stuffplug.com)
StuffPlug 3 only works on the latest version of Windows Live Messenger 8.1 beta, as TB always uses the most recent version of Messenger that he can find to test on before he releases anything. Using the current official release of Messenger (8.0) has some issues which will take time to fix (and you will be warned that you do not have the correct version for it to run on when trying to install).
Download StuffPlug 3.0.264 BETA (direct link) Info about the bug fixes from the previous beta version (at stuffplug.com)The first public beta of StuffPlug 3 was released this morning by TheBlasphemer (TB), to signify a good start to a good new year.
As absorbation posted back at the beginning of December TB started working on it again, after having to delay it several times since he started working on it in March.
The features in the new beta include most of the ones we mentioned back in April, May and June - however certain features like flashing the LEDs on your keyboard after/during certain events, talking to contacts who have blocked you and the custom emoticon & display picture stealer do not currently work.
TB has asked people to report any bugs they find in the new bug manager at the StuffPlug website, and any help can be requested at the StuffPlug forums or at our own community forums.
There have been initial reports that the beta does not work on the most recent final build of Windows Live Messenger (8.0.0812) but it does work properly with the most recent 8.1 beta.
Update: It has been confirmed that this beta does not work with Windows Live Messenger 8.0 and you need the latest beta release (version 8.1.0168) for it to work.
We have also been given information by Matti that a new release is expected to be out within 3 days time (according to x2zen). The new version will include the language translation files so you will be able to use StuffPlug in your own language, instead of just the English it comes with by default.
Download StuffPlug 3.0.254 BETA (direct link)
Release announcement by TB
StuffPlug bug manager/reporter
StuffPlug forums
As absorbation posted back at the beginning of December TB started working on it again, after having to delay it several times since he started working on it in March.
The features in the new beta include most of the ones we mentioned back in April, May and June - however certain features like flashing the LEDs on your keyboard after/during certain events, talking to contacts who have blocked you and the custom emoticon & display picture stealer do not currently work.
TB has asked people to report any bugs they find in the new bug manager at the StuffPlug website, and any help can be requested at the StuffPlug forums or at our own community forums.
There have been initial reports that the beta does not work on the most recent final build of Windows Live Messenger (8.0.0812) but it does work properly with the most recent 8.1 beta.
Update: It has been confirmed that this beta does not work with Windows Live Messenger 8.0 and you need the latest beta release (version 8.1.0168) for it to work.
We have also been given information by Matti that a new release is expected to be out within 3 days time (according to x2zen). The new version will include the language translation files so you will be able to use StuffPlug in your own language, instead of just the English it comes with by default.
Download StuffPlug 3.0.254 BETA (direct link) Release announcement by TB StuffPlug bug manager/reporter StuffPlug forumsA new version of Windows Live Messenger 8.1 has been released, build number 8.1.0168 (the last one being 8.1.0106).
Although no official announcement has been made yet, the new version can be downloaded now from the beta's Windows Live Idea's page.
No visible changes have been spotted yet so it is thought that the new version may only fix several bugs which were discovered in previous 8.1 beta versions.
Download Windows Live Messenger 8.1.0168 beta (direct link)
Download A-Patch (already updated for the new version)
Update: Nicole has posted about the beta refresh at MessengerSays (the Windows Live Messenger team blog). The updates have apparently been based on user feedback, and she says that users of the existing 8.1 betas existing will be prompted to update soon.
MessengerSays blog post
Although no official announcement has been made yet, the new version can be downloaded now from the beta's Windows Live Idea's page.
No visible changes have been spotted yet so it is thought that the new version may only fix several bugs which were discovered in previous 8.1 beta versions.
Download Windows Live Messenger 8.1.0168 beta (direct link) Download A-Patch (already updated for the new version)Update: Nicole has posted about the beta refresh at MessengerSays (the Windows Live Messenger team blog). The updates have apparently been based on user feedback, and she says that users of the existing 8.1 betas existing will be prompted to update soon.
MessengerSays blog postPatchou has just released version 4.11 of his highly successful Messenger addon. The new version contains no new features but instead fixes bugs such as compatibility issues with things like SimpLite-MSN and Windows Live Mail, and fixes a few bugs with the scripting API.
He has also announced details of the new Messenger Plus! script contest which can be found in his news post from the link below.
Download Messenger Plus! Live 4.11
Patchou's news post
He has also announced details of the new Messenger Plus! script contest which can be found in his news post from the link below.
Download Messenger Plus! Live 4.11 Patchou's news postThe highly waited Messenger Plus! Live 4.10 has been released to the public, the build number is marked as 4.10.250.
This version has many key improvements which include:
- Support for Windows Live Messenger 8.1 beta
- Scripts Engine improvements
- Supported internal registry settings documented on msgpluslive.net
- Many bug fixes and internal improvements
Download Messenger Plus! Live 4.10
Announcement
Discussion
View Full Change Log
This version has many key improvements which include:
- Support for Windows Live Messenger 8.1 beta
- Scripts Engine improvements
- Supported internal registry settings documented on msgpluslive.net
- Many bug fixes and internal improvements
Download Messenger Plus! Live 4.10 Announcement Discussion View Full Change LogWell it's true, the public beta is here in all its glory. Well what can I say, it's an improvement from the other betas. Here is the 8.0 to 8.1 changelog as we currently know it (from the MessengerSays blog:
Download Windows Live Messenger 8.1.0106
Download A-Patch
MessengerSays blog post
- Roaming Identity
- Contact Card
- New Emoticons, Winks, Backgrounds, Display Pictures
- SMS Phone Book
- New Contact Emotion
- Status Menu includes Sign Out
- Report abuse
- Vista Presentation Mode
- Behind the scenes changes
Download Windows Live Messenger 8.1.0106 Download A-Patch MessengerSays blog postIf you're having the login problem with Messenger for Mac 6 released three weeks ago then stop despairing.
A new version has been released, admittedly nearly two weeks ago (sorry for being slow with the news), which should fix the issues experienced by users.
Download the new version
Read about the fix
Read about the new features in version 6
A new version has been released, admittedly nearly two weeks ago (sorry for being slow with the news), which should fix the issues experienced by users.
Download the new version Read about the fix Read about the new features in version 6Microsoft Messenger for Mac 6.0, which we told you about last week, was released yesterday.
To read about all the new features check out our earlier post, or if you can't wait any longer download it straight away.
Info and screenshots
Product page (at microsoft.com)
Download
Office for Mac team blog post
Windows Live Messenger team blog post
To read about all the new features check out our earlier post, or if you can't wait any longer download it straight away.
Info and screenshots Product page (at microsoft.com) Download Office for Mac team blog post Windows Live Messenger team blog post
Messenger Stuff