If you are using the latest version of Windows Live Messenger 2009 build 14.0.8117.416, you may have noticed that the very useful Show My Webcam feature has been stripped off. For many years Windows Live Messenger has two webcam features which is the viewing of webcam without voice and the Video Call. The “show my webcam” feature is very useful especially when either party has a slower connection but still able to see each other. When I compared the amount of bandwidth taken up between a Video Call and Viewing of Webcam, Video Call takes up 30KB/s but the webcam viewing takes up only 10KB/s. I tried disabling speaker and microphone so that it does not transmit any sound but the video call still takes up 30KB/s.
Although speedy broadband connection are pretty common nowadays but the upload speed given by most ISP are still quite low. If you didn’t know, showing of webcam uses your upload bandwidth and watching a webcam uses download bandwidth instead. After researching and testing, I found out that it is still possible to use the Show My Webcam feature.
I couldn’t find a way to enable the viewing or showing of webcam in the latest Windows Live Messenger 2009 build 14.0.8117.416. The only way is for both parties to use an older build of Windows Live Messenger such as 14.0.8089.726 or a MSN Messenger clone such as aMSN. It is possible to show and view webcam between aMSN and Windows Live Messenger to build 14.0.8089.726. As long as either party is using the latest Windows Live Messenger build, the invitation to start viewing webcam will be automatically declined.
It is a general rule to always use the latest version of software because they are meant to fix old bugs and probably offer new features. If you want to keep your latest Windows Live Messenger 2009 build 14.0.8117.416 yet still use the show my webcam feature, then you can simply use the portable version of aMSN which will not affect the Windows Live Messenger that is installed on your computer.
However if you prefer to just downgrade Windows Live Messenger to build 14.0.8089.726 which still has the show my webcam feature, then here are the steps.
1. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
2. Double click on Windows Live Essentials.
3. Select Uninstall and click Continue
4. Check Messenger and click Continue to proceed with uninstalling Windows Live Messenger
5. Download and install Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Communication Platform.
Now your computer has Windows Live Messenger to build 14.0.8089.726 installed and the good old Show My Webcam option is available. If you are forced to update and install the newer version of Windows Live Messenger, please refer to this article on how to “trick” MSN that you are already using the latest build.
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Well last night, Microsoft FORCED an update to messenger. The older version will not work anymore.
omg youre AWESOME!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! works beautiful!!!
Well done! Thank you soooo much!! Every website that offered 8089 ended up being 8117 – yours is great!! ty!!
Thanx a lot, it worksss
Omg thanks!
I really needed this!
Video call sucks. :3
Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much! Lifesaver! I’ve spent 4 hours installing all different versions trying to get my comp back to the state it was before Windows Live Essentials 11 decided it was going to download.
Total legend!
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! i finally got the “show my webcam” feature back!!!!! >_< OMG i cannot thank you enough!!! you saved my life… T.T i super appreciate it! muchas gracias!
mine still doesnt have that option back… T.T is that supposed to not work for japanese computers…? would that be still possible that i download the 2011 version and follow your instructions? i guess i should try that first. i will be back… T.T i really really really want the “show my webcam” option back… thank you anyway though =)
thank you so much have looked all weekend for this version nice one
raymond u legend i could by u a pint right now cant thank u enough :) :) :)
thankyou thankyouthankyou thankyou SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what a coincidence. i just help one of my friend to get back the send webcam feature with the exact same way.
This is the official source to download the last version that come with send webcam feature wl.dlservice.microsoft.com/download/F/2/B/F2BDDA8A-F285-440B-98CE-BABEE6CA0B0E/en/Messenger-ship-en.cab
if you get an error while trying to sign in.
you need this rs348.rapidshare.com/files/203537234/Contacts-ship-neutral.cab
I’m not sure about wave 4 Val because I wasn’t able to test it as I kept on getting connection error. It would be great if they brought it back :)
i also often have those problem,Thanx for your sharing!!
@Uplink; hmmm maybe not. u r a few ms late :D
Thanks for the tip
Ray. :)
OMG!!!! Raymond ur the boss ty! I posted this problem like 2 weeks ago and now its here!
btw, first :D
What about Wave 4 beta? Doesnt that have the feature?