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Thursday 17 January 2013

Microsoft Messenger to shut down, merge with Skype

RIP Microsoft Messenger, The Messenger is dead long live Skype

The Microsoft Corporation has decided to do away with its Messenger and merge the messaging with Skype.  I received the following email from Microsoft.


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It's time to update Messenger to Skype!
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Hello,

We are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together. Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You'll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet.

Update Now
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Yours sincerely,
The Messenger Team
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New to Skype?
  1. Get the latest version of Skype.
  2. Sign in to Skype with your Microsoft Account.
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Already have Skype?

  1. Update to the latest version of Skype.
  2. Sign in with your Microsoft Account.
  3. Merge your existing Skype account with your Microsoft Account.
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Here are just a few of the great features that you can use with Skype:
  • Instant message, video call and call phones from your PC, Mac, Windows Phone, iPhone, iPad, Android mobile, Kindle Fire and other devices
  • Sharing your screen with friends and family
  • Video call and instant message with your Facebook friends
  • Group video call with up to ten friends at once*
  • And that's just the start - there's so much more to explore on Skype
Update Now
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So, what's happening between now and the retirement?
Messenger will continue to work as you know it today. If you are signed in with Messenger on your desktop** you will see a banner notification to upgrade. When you click on the banner, an installer window will open with the request to upgrade. This will take you through our installer flow to install Skype and automatically uninstall Messenger.
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So, what's happening after the retirement?
Messenger users on desktops** will not be able to sign in and will only be able to upgrade to Skype. If you attempt to sign in, a notification will appear, and if you continue, you will be taken through our installer flow to install Skype and automatically uninstall Messenger at the same time.
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Can I update to Skype on my mobile?
Yes! Skype is available on iPhone, Android and soon on Windows Phone 8. We encourage you to download the latest Skype app on your mobile and then uninstall Messenger. You will be able to sign in to Skype on your iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 8 mobile apps with your Microsoft Account over the next few weeks. If you use another phone with Messenger on it, it will continue to work for a while.
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Where can I learn more?
For more help on updating to Skype, please visit the Skype Support site.
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* To get group video chat, you'll need a Skype Premium subscription.
** Newer versions of Messenger will be able to receive the optional upgrade notifications. Older versions will not receive the notifications and you will have to download Skype manually.



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Vijay Prabhu


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