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| Windows Messenger | |
|---|---|
 | |
 A conversation in Windows Messenger 4.7.2009, with sidebar and toolbar enabled | |
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Initial release | October 22, 2001; 24 years ago (2001-10-22)[1][2] |
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Successor | Windows Live Messenger |
| Website | microsoft.com/windows/messenger (archived pages link August 2003) |
Windows Messenger is adiscontinuedinstant messaging client included inWindows XP.[1][4] Designed for use by both corporate and home users, it was originally created, in 2001, as a streamlined and integrated version ofMSN Messenger.[5] It was upgraded several times when it was made available forWindows 2000 andWindows Server 2003.[6] Since then, its development stopped.[3][7] It was superseded byWindows Live Messenger andMicrosoft Lync.[8][9]
Windows Messenger was introduced inWindows XP on October 22, 2001.[1][5][10][11] It is enabled by default.[12] Its features includeinstant messaging, presence awareness, support forSession Initiation Protocol (SIP), file transfer, application sharing andwhiteboarding.[2] Later versions added "ink" support and integration withMicrosoft Lync Server (formerly Microsoft Office Communications Server). Windows Messenger's user interface is devoid of the clutter seen inWindows Live Messenger. Winks, nudges, and custom emoticons are unavailable, and the main user interface more closely resembles the standard Windows XPLuna style.[13]
Windows Messenger integrates withMicrosoft Exchange Server,Microsoft Outlook,Outlook Express,Remote Assistance andWindows Media Center in Windows XP. Windows Messenger can communicate with the Exchange Server 2000's Instant Messaging Service andMicrosoft Messenger Service. Interoperability with third-party software is exposed through a COM API called theReal Time Communications (RTC) Client API.
Development of Windows Messenger was halted after version 5.1 in favor ofWindows Live Messenger andMicrosoft Lync.[3][7][8][9]
