Download Windows Live Messenger 8.1 for Windows Vista
Windows Live Messenger 8.1 (previously known as MSN Messenger) has been officially released from beta phase to final version. WLM 8.1 is the latest instant messaging (IM) client from Microsoft that is optimized for Windows Vista, and is the second major release after the IM client officially changing its name from MSN Messenger (last stable version been 7.5) to Windows Live Messenger with initial final release at version 8.0, and ahead of Yahoo! Messenger for Windows Vista which only has preview available.
According to Inside Windows Live Messenger, new features, enhancements and improvements in WLM 8.1 include:
- Roaming Identity – Your display name follows you any place you sign into. Now your display picture and personal message will follow you too. If you would prefer they stayed in place you can turn this off (Tools->Options->General -> Sign In -> “Use the same display picture….”)
- Contact Card – The contact card has gotten a updated look. Instead of a flip it does a slide to toggle between the Spaces and Contact information. Also no more squinting at an icon and trying to figure out what it means the actions on the card are now listed out plain and simple.
- Emoticons, Winks, Backgrounds, Display Pictures – The menus have gotten an updated look. They include a recently used list and easy access to featured content so you can get new emoticons, winks, background and display pictures to use. hint: typcially in the featured section the first 4 are free.
- SMS Phone Book – You now have a quick way to send SMS to a phone number or add phone numbers for your contacts. Just click the cell phone icon in them main window for a good time.
- New Contact Emotion – In 8.0 all our icons got an update but we forgot a very important one. The contact emoticon. Type (M) to send it.
- Status Menu includes Sign Out – We noticed people look in the status menu to sign out and so ta-da now you can sign out from the status menu.
- Report abuse – Here is something you will hopefully never need to use, but it is there just in case in the help menus.
- Vista Presentation Mode – When you are in Presentation Mode on Vista Messenger will change your status to busy so you can avoid the embarrassing situation of everyone reading your IMs! Don’t worry if you want to show Messenger in your presentation you can turn this off (Tools->Options-> Personal-> My Status -> Show me as “Busy”…).
- Behind the scenes changes – This release also includes changes to the “guts” of some of the features. The goal is for these changes to improve your experience. Please let us know if that is not the case.
- Personal Invitation – When you add a new contact you can add a message so they know who you are. Especially helpful if your email address is something like ILoveMessenger(at)emaildomain.com – since there are so many of us out there.
- WLM client now available in Messenger is available in 8 new languages, namely Bulgarian, Estonian, Croatian, Latvian, Romanian, Serbian Latin, Thai and Ukrainian.
- Better handling of incompatibility of older version of Flash with WLM 8.1 in Windows Vista.
- E-mail invitation when adding a new contact.
UPDATE: Windows Live Messenger 8.5 is released, however Windows Live Messenger 8.1 still useful for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x64 edition that does not officially support 8.5 and beyond.
Download Windows Live Messenger 8.1 (or latest version) from here. If you’re running WLM 8.1 beta, you will be prompted to upgrade your WLM client automatically.
Related Articles
- Free Download Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Beta 2
- Free Download: Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Beta1
- Download Standalone Installer for Windows Live Messenger 8.5 for XP and Vista
- Microsoft Windows Live Mobile Preview and Windows Live Messenger Mobile Review by the::unwired
- Running Multiple Instances of Windows Live Messenger (WLM) Polygamy and Remove Banner Ads with MultiLive
- 2 Free Phone Calls on Windows Live Messenger 8.1 Beta Free Download with Verizon Web Calling
- How to Disable and Stop Windows Live Messenger from Loading at Startup Automatically (Auto Start)
- MSN Web Messenger Closure with Windows Live Messenger Unblock Alternative
- Download the Leaked Version of Windows Live Messenger 2009 Build 14.0.3921.0717
- Remove or Hide Windows Live Messenger Tabs
Entries (RSS)
December 7th, 2009 01:17
all those who have problems with the messenger that it says that “it could not connect to the internet” I have the same problem!
If i wanted to hear more, please find me on facebook !!!!! search casper.lasse.petersen @ gmail.com
November 7th, 2009 14:33
Hey does someone know where to download this bersion of messenger 8.5 beta 1… i need it pls… need help!!
August 29th, 2009 14:08
MY messenger in not downloading. Why is eveyone having this problem? make it more simple for a novist like myself please.
July 12th, 2009 12:56
i can not download msn messenger plzz help me out for god sake……
July 1st, 2009 09:12
thats incredible
May 21st, 2009 23:50
Huhu
April 24th, 2009 01:28
does it cost to use this
April 8th, 2009 20:29
I am having the same problem as KiRsTaY, saying can not find platform and searching for a solution? then closes. Please help I am really not liking Vista at the moment
March 6th, 2009 16:52
hi
February 10th, 2009 11:55
i want
January 1st, 2009 01:29
reply to Barry-49
u know when u go to install msn messenger and it say bout msn add ons. dont select anyof them tht happened to me but worked after i unselected them hope this helps!!
January 1st, 2009 01:26
i am trying to sort this problem out when it doesnt respond i aint found a solution yet does anyone have a solution for this annoying situation. if i find anything i will let ya know!!!
December 30th, 2008 08:11
good
December 25th, 2008 02:39
fack you
December 22nd, 2008 17:56
HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Have Windows Vista, When I Downloaded Windows Live Messenger 8.5 or 8.1 or something It downloads fine and I can get into it and stuff but after about 2 minutes it says Windows Live has Stopped Working and that it is searching for an solution after about another 2 minutes it says it can’t find a solution and just closes WTF!! This happens everytime I open it!! Okay so I looked up solutions on the internet and It sugested things like, uninstalling and Reinstalling it, DID THAT, DIDN’T WORK!! It also suggested running the program as an administrator, DID THAT, DIDN’T WORK!! Okay i tried lots of other solutions but nothing work!! I continued to investigate the problem on my computer and it came up saying that i had a problem with my DEP or DPE when i tried to turn off DEP it didn’t work hence another program problem!!
PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS PLS HELP ME
December 1st, 2008 13:26
how do u download msn 8.1 coz i wannit
November 25th, 2008 15:29
how do you down load?? ahhh please help
November 24th, 2008 10:16
msn
November 23rd, 2008 10:03
Hey mates !!
I’m usin windows live messenger .my contacts cam keeps loadin and advertisin no foto ;
Any solution for this ????????????????
November 10th, 2008 17:09
Lets see how it performs
November 4th, 2008 23:48
I hope to work
October 26th, 2008 17:31
this may sound stupid but i dont know where to actually download it from?
i cant find the link :s
October 24th, 2008 21:36
thnxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
October 16th, 2008 04:53
lol yo yofg
October 13th, 2008 17:57
let me try