MSN Messenger is an instant messaging client not unlike Yahoo instant messenger (YIM) or AOL instant messenger (AIM). Any windows user can download MSN Messenger. In addition MSN Messenger may be pre-installed in some cases, such as for those users who have signed up for MSN's version 8 or later service.
On Windows XP and presumably later, "Windows Messenger" is another instant messaging client, very much like MSN Messenger. It is installed when you install Windows XP and runs only on Windows XP. (The updated Windows Messenger 5.0 also runs on Windows 2000 and can be downloaded here).
While Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger look very similar, they in fact are two separate applications. The good news is that either can be used to access the same .NET Messaging Service contacts. That's the default instant messaging service for both and the one you'll use on the internet. What that really means is that if all you're doing is instant messaging your friends and family on the internet, it doesn't matter which one you use and changing from one to the other is not a problem.
Unfortunately, as I said, they are two different programs. They have slightly different feature sets and release on different schedules. In particular, Windows Messenger is more tightly integrated with applications such as Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, or the Remote Assistance feature of Windows XP. The differences and the confusion don't end there, though. Microsoft has a Knowledgebase article that touches on more of the technical differences and provides instructions for installing and running both on the same machine. The good news is that most likely you'll never need to know how or why you would want to.
But sadly, the confusion does not end there. There is yet another Windows "Messenger".
On Windows 2000 and Windows XP there is a service called "Messenger". It's unfortunately often referred to as the "Windows Messenger" that is used to present what can best be called "network messages" to a machine's user. This is not an instant messaging application, but rather software that runs in the background listening for incoming messages and popping up a very simple box containing the message when one arrives. The most common example might be in a corporate environment when you send a document to a network printer. The messenger service handles the pop-up message that the printer sends back when it has finished.
Unfortunately the Messenger Service has been exploited by spammers to pop-up unwanted advertising messages on unprotected machines on the internet. The average user has absolutely no need for the Windows Messenger Service and thus it can safely be turned off. To do so, go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Services & Applications -> Services. Double click "Messenger" and set the "Startup Type" to Disabled. You can also "Stop" the service at that same dialog. (You can also grab a copy of 10 Quick Steps to Stopping Pop-Up Ads for help stopping this and other pop-up annoyances.)
Think we're done? Guess again. There's one more instant messaging client I want to briefly mention.
If you play certain games on MSN's Gaming Zone, you may also be presented with a small application called "ZoneFriends". Yes, you guessed it, it's yet another instant messaging application. It's specifically for chatting among the folks you're playing your online games with.
Thankfully though, the word "Messenger" is nowhere to be seen.
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Windows Live Messenger (WLM) is the latest and greatest version of Microsoft's instant messaging client. Very much like Yahoo instant messenger (YIM), or AOL instant messenger (AIM). Anyone running Windows XP can download Windows Live Messenger and begin IMing with other users.
WLM has a slew of new features compared to its previous versions - the most interesting to me is the ability to share folders with people you're chatting with. WLM promises to interact directly with Yahoo Messenger in the near future.
WLM is actually version 8. Version 8? Yes, because it is really just a new name for, the latest version of and the replacement for MSN Messenger.
It's the same program with a new name, and new features.
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MSN Messenger is simply the "old" version of Windows Live Messenger - nothing more, nothing less. Versions 6 through 7.5 all seem to be popular and "in the wild".
If you have Windows XP, you probably want to upgrade to the latest version: Windows Live Messenger. If you're running any other version of Windows, you may need to stick with these older versions of MSN Messenger.
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Windows Messenger is yet another instant messaging client, very much like MSN Messenger and WLM. It comes with Windows XP and runs only on Windows XP. It's typically version 4.7, though the updated Windows Messenger 5.0 also runs on Windows 2000, and can be downloaded here.
Important: Windows Messenger is not MSN Messenger, nor is it WLM. That's important because you can run Windows Messenger at the same time as MSN Messenger or WLM. That can get confusing if they are both logged into the same account because a message about being logged into two places may result.
Windows Messenger is a different program from the other two. It has a different feature set, and release on a different schedule. In particular, Windows Messenger is more tightly integrated with applications such as Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, or the Remote Assistance feature of Windows XP. The differences, and the confusion, don't end there, though. Microsoft has a Knowledgebase article that touches on more of the technical differences, and provides instructions for installing and running both on the same machine. The good news is that chances are, you'll never need to know how, or why, you would want to.
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Windows Messenger Service adds to the confusion. It has a similar name but it is completely unrelated to everything I've talked about so far.
On Windows 2000 and Windows XP there is a service, called "Messenger", often unfortunately referred to as the "Windows Messenger", that is used to present what can best be called "network messages" to a machine's user. This is not an instant messaging application, but rather software that runs in the background, listening for incoming messages, and popping up a very simple box containing the message when one arrives. The most common example might be in a corporate environment when you send a document to a network printer. The messenger service handles the pop-up message that the printer sends back when it has finished.
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So what, of all of that, do you actually need or want?
My recommendation is actually very, very simple:
* Windows XP users should download Windows Live Messenger and use it.
* Folks without Windows XP should stick with their existing version of MSN Messenger, or perhaps download and run a third-party application such as Trillian. (It's unclear at this point if Microsoft has an official recommendation for non-XP users.)
* Everyone should uninstall Windows Messenger. Most people simply have no use for it.
* Everyone should disable the Windows Messenger Service. Again, there's simply no need for it.
The bottom line? For Windows XP users, all you need is Windows Live Messenger. Ignore or uninstall everything else.
* Ask Leo! - How do I disable the Windows Messenger service?
* Ask Leo! - How do I uninstall Windows Messenger?
* Ask Leo! - How do I stop MSN Messenger from starting automatically and logging me in?
* Microsoft - Windows Live Messenger
* The latest news on Windows Live Messenger