What is Windows Live Messenger?
Windows Live Messenger is the new name for MSN Messenger. The next version of Messenger won’t be MSN Messenger 8, but Windows Live Messenger, or Windows Live Messenger 8. The name has been changed because Microsoft is going to split MSN (MicroSoft Network) into MSN and Windows Live. A new name doesn’t mean the program will be entirely different though. You will see all the old features you know from MSN Messenger in Windows Live Messenger, and of course some new ones!

Windows Live Messenger features
Windows Live Messenger comes with a bunch of new features:

  • Sharing folders

    • Sharing Folders will be a new and simple way for you to share personal photos, documents, and files with your Messenger contacts. You will be able to create a Sharing Folder by simply dragging files onto a contact name in Messenger. This will create an exact copy of the files on both you and your contact’s computers, and create a Sharing Folder that can be accessed from Messenger, and on the desktop. The Sharing Folders will work pretty much like the PC folder experience you already know, so it will make sense right away. Just like in Windows, you will be able to drag and drop, get different views of files, copy, paste, etc. You will be able to access a Sharing Folder from your desktop, to manage files whether online or offline. And a Sharing Folder requires virtually zero setup or configuration, and efficiently handles file synchronization without any fuss.

  • Voice calling

    • This feature will let users who sign up for Windows Live phone call (provided by a Microsoft partner) to easily call landline and mobile phones. You will be able to set up a Windows Live Call account through the Messenger interface and start making calls within minutes. You will be able to purchase minutes upfront, then add minutes when your balance runs low. One of the great things about this will be that you will be able to use it to make really affordable domestic and international calls. You will be able to make PC-to-PC calls for free, with no need to sign up for a Windows Live phone call account, so long as you and your Messenger contact both have compatible speakers and microphones (or headsets).

  • A new design

    • The design of Windows Live Messenger differs from the design of MSN Messenger 7.5.
    Windows Live Messenger 8.0.0689 Beta and Mess Patch 8.0.0689 Generation 4

  • Offline messaging

    • You will be able to send messagas to your contacts even when they’re offline. They will receive the message as soon as they sign in again. Sending offline messages is exclusive to WLM users, but everyone with version 7.5 can receive them as well.

  • Add-ins

    • Finally, Microsoft adds support for third-party add-ins. Windows Live Messenger exposes an Application Programming Interface (API) so developers can easily extend WLM with their own features! Expect more news and documentation about this soon. Of course you’ll be able to download add-ins from Msgweb as soon as we and other developers start releasing them.

  • Integration with other Windows Live services

    • Since Messenger is now officially an important part in the Windows Live Platform, you’ll see quite some integration with other Live services like Live Contacts, Live Mail, and Live Today.

  • Search contacts

    • This enables you to easily find the buddy you’re looking for.

  • Merged messages

    • When you receive multiple messages in a row from the same contact, you can choose to merge these messages, so you don’t see “Contact says:” before each message.

    >> Download Windows Live Messenger Beta 8.0.0689 English
    Important Note: Before you can use Windows Live Messenger Beta 8.0.0689, you must register yourself as a tester by signing in at this page on ideas.live.com

    Few days after Microsoft decided to publicly release Windows Live Messenger Beta, the most famous patch for MSN is out.
    Mess.be’s now entering the fourth generation with Mess Patch, Mess.be’s all-in-one Windows Live Messenger tweaker! Listen up, because here are the changes in Mess Patch Generation 4 for v8.0.0689:

    - Ability to save/load settings.
    - Fixed glitch in the “Allow Signing In Status Change” feature, now appears correctly.
    - Fixed bug in “Enable Multi-line Nicknames” option (reported by Kicsi_Farkas)
    - Fixed Always On Top button(s), now they highlight properly and show tooltips (reported by mike and Daniel)
    - Added “Remove Emoticons From Contact Names” (as requested by Maurice Robert).
    - Added “Hide Personal Messages In Contact List” (as requested by Anette Øverland Amundsen & Vakri Heighton-Towers).
    - Added “Remove Display Pictures From Popup Toasts” feature.
    - Added “Open Display Picture Dialog Upon DP Click” feature for conversation windows, although it still opens your contact card (as requested by johnnygrave).
    - Added “Center Top Toolbar Buttons” feature.
    - Added “Remove Contact Name From Convo Title” feature.
    - Re-added “Add My Received Files Button To Top Toolbar” feature (as requested by subform & Tito67).
    - Added “Remove Windows Live Today Button” feature.
    - Added “Remove Call Button” feature.

    NOTE: Mess Patch Generation 4 is currently available in its English version only. It does, however, work with all different language versions of Windows Live Messenger 8.0.0689. A multi-language version will follow later.

    >> Download Mess Patch for Windows Live Messenger 8.0.0689