· 2 min read · Messenger Microsoft

Phasing out Windows Live Messenger 8.1, 8.5 and 2009 QFE1

We are committed to providing a safe, secure and positive experience for our more than 300 million customers across the globe using Windows Live Messenger every month. To deliver on that commitment, beginning on August 25, we started asking our customers using versions 8.1, 8.5 and 14.0 to upgrade to the newest version of Messenger.

This is what the Windows Live Messenger team is announcing in regards to phasing out old Messenger versions in the coming weeks. Here is the roadmap:

  • August 25, 2009: Users of Messenger 8.1 and 8.5 are asked to upgrade their client.

  • Mid September 2009: Users of Messenger 8.1 and 8.5 are required to upgrade their version.

  • Early October 2009: Users of Messenger 2009 (excluding build 8089) are asked to upgrade.

  • Late October 2009: Users of Messenger 2009 (excluding build 8089) are forced to upgrade.

In late October 2009, the following versions of Messenger will not be able to sign in anymore:

  • Windows Live Messenger 8.1.0178

  • Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302 (2008)

  • Windows Live Messenger 9.0.1107

  • Windows Live Messenger 14.0.5027 (2009 Beta)

  • Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8050 (2009)

  • Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8064 (2009 QFE1)

Please Note: It will take several weeks for the upgrade process to be completed, as the upgrade will be rolled out to customers over the course of several weeks.

Upgrading is even possible right now. Just visit http://download.live.com/ and get the latest Messenger.

All Windows Live Messenger clients with versions 8.1, 8.5* *or 14.0 will receive the upgrade notification. Beginning August 25, customers of Messenger 8.1 or 8.5 were prompted to upgrade their client. Customers who installed the latest Windows Live Messenger client (14.0) before August 19, 2009 will start receiving an upgrade notification in September 2009. Customers of older versions of MSN Messenger on Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, Windows Me or Windows 98 will not receive an upgrade notification.

We will remind you of the mandatory upgrade when it comes nearer. More information about this is available in the Messenger says blog.