All About Microsoft

Mary-Jo Foley

Microsoft to force Messenger users to upgrade

By Mary Jo Foley | September 13, 2007, 8:34am PDT

Summary: Some time in the next few weeks, Microsoft is going to require all users of its Messenger instant-messaging service to upgrade to Windows Live Messenger 8.1, in the name of security.

Microsoft instant-messaging users who aren’t yet running version 8.1 (or higher) of Windows Live Messenger, take note: Your days are numbered.

As reported by LiveSide.net, some time in the next few weeks, Microsoft is going to require all Messenger users to upgrade, in the name of security. Security product manager “Anand” blogged:

“We will soon configure the service such that any user on Windows XP or later system has to use Windows Live Messenger 8.1. When a user using an older version of Messenger tries to login, the client will help the user with a mandatory upgrade to Messenger 8.1.

“Some of you might feel this inconvenient, but in order to protect you and protect the health of the network we have chosen to take this step.”

Anand cited a security vulnerability affecting MSN Messenger 6.2, 7.0 and 7.5, as well as Windows Live Messenger 8.0 as proof that users would be best served by upgrading. That vulnerability is detailed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-054, which Microsoft published on September 11.

Messenger users are seemingly none too happy with Microsoft’s decision, as comments posted to the “Inside Windows Live Messenger” blog indicate. One anonymous poster wondered whether Microsoft would make exceptions for corporate or advanced users:

“(I)s there any option for corporate or advanced users who have other IM security controls in place to continue running version 7.0 on windows XP? 8.1 has many protocol differences from the older clients. Is there any documentation available describing the external websites/ports the 8.1 client requires for access? This has changed quite a bit from the older versions…”

Windows Live Messenger 8.1 is the currently available version of Microsoft’s consumer IM client, but select testers also are dabbling with Live Messenger 8.5.

Being a long-time holdout myself (much preferring the streamlined, simple MSN Messenger look and feel to Windows Live Messenger’s more cluttered interface), I, too, wish there was some way to keep the MSN Messenger UI. How about a “classic” view for Windows Live Messenger, Microsoft?

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Topics

Security, Microsoft Windows Live Messenger, MSN Messenger, IM, Microsoft Windows Live, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Corp., User, Mary Jo Foley

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

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RE: Microsoft to force Messenger users to upgrade

dfwekrwe3201-24353670632082971688064999491555 Updated - 12th Nov

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I run the new one

voska 13th Sep 2007

Personally I found it had less clutter unless you are using a really old version but then those version were so basic they offered nothing.

Found I was forced to move since the older versions would allow me to use my web cam.

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Pidgin

The-Bytemaster 13th Sep 2007

Which is why I always use Pidgin for all of my IM needs. One application, multiple networks, and free.

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Not to mention

Michael Kelly 13th Sep 2007

no ads.

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Yeah, I use Pidgin. Also Xfire when playing a gme.

CobraA1 13th Sep 2007

Yeah, I use Pidgin, although I have a few issues with the way the devs do things . . .

Actually, I've found that I'm using Xfire a lot more since it'll work inside games so that if one of my friends or myself is gaming we can still chat.

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RE: Microsoft to force Messenger users to upgrade

Magaroni 13th Sep 2007

I have Vista and cannot get the latest version of messenger to work. I was forced to DL a program that won"t work on my computer!! I'm not a happy camper.

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8.1 works fine on Vista x86 and x64.

ShadeTree 13th Sep 2007

Next....

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Better Advertising is more the likely reason

deaf_e_kate 13th Sep 2007

especially if you are forced into having it.

Why do people persist with complaining about MS knowing better than you what you want????? If this was a car manufacturer, you'd sell that brand and get another.

STOP WHINING

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Another job for stealth updates!

Chad_z 13th Sep 2007

Just slip it in when they have their automatic updates turned off.

Maybe no one will notice this time. happy

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Keep it up, M$...you'll be outta biz....

techboy_z 13th Sep 2007

Users have had it up to here with forced upgrades and sneaky stealth updates. I am going to be trying Ubuntu soon. I expect others will be trying alternatives too. We know there must be some demand, or Dell wouldn't be selling Linux laptops. Nice knowin' ya. Or not.

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Be Serious

dontnetcoder 13th Sep 2007

You must be out of your mind. I am so tired of uneducated and immature comments like Microsoft is going to be out of biz. Meanwhile the Novells, Borland, Corels, IBM Software Division, etc. just continue to get wasted by Microsoft fire power. You may not like it but then lots of countries get worn out by the good old USA and we aren't going anywhere but up.

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You have noted on several posts that you ....

ShadeTree 13th Sep 2007

... are a Linux users so please spare us the "I'm going to switch routine". If the amount of people who said they were going to switch to Linux actually did then Linux wouldn't be at less then 1% share. The problem is the "switchers" are always the same ones that switched years ago.

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RE: Microsoft to force Messenger users to upgrade

mrOSX 13th Sep 2007

this is aweful.. i can't transfer my display pics:( i don't want to change yet:(

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Spare us.

ShadeTree 13th Sep 2007

Messenger doesn't run on Apple.

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Spare us ... your stupidity...

dmcgraw 20th Sep 2007

Open mouth and insert foot, I say. Messenger doesn't run on Mac? That's the best one I've heard yet from a lemming...
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=msnmessenger

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RE: Microsoft to force Messenger users to upgrade

hate_you 13th Sep 2007

who are you to force us to change to an upgrade of msn.i happen to like msn messenger 7.5 and you annoying idiots have to change everything.i hate the new version.it looks ugly and i refuse to use it.it may seem like a small thing but it really bugs me.we have rights you know.infact i want you to change it back.leave people to make there own minds up.i'm 13 by the way.and reply if you want to charming_darling@hotmail.co.uk

i hate you all right now

yours not sincerely

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This is crazy!

Dav8500 13th Sep 2007

This is completely uneccesary and annoying, Microsoft should not be forcing its users to upgrade to a version they do not like! heres a petetion I found to stop this!

http://www.petitiononline.com/stopmsn/petition.html

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This is crazy!

Dav8500 13th Sep 2007

This is completely uneccesary and annoying, Microsoft should not be forcing its users to upgrade to a version they do not like! heres a petetion I found to stop this!http://www.petitiononline.com/stopmsn/petition.html

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RE: Microsoft to force Messenger users to upgrade

mario.albertico 13th Sep 2007

I don't know what's so wrong with this...it's only for the better.

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i don't liek this

jb2009 13th Sep 2007

i dont liek this because my computer won't let me update
so now i can't use msn cause of this.
you shouldn't force us to upgrade

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Simple, really

Fred Fredrickson 13th Sep 2007

If you don't like MSN, don't use it, there are plenty of options.

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More simply stated........

Ole Man 20th Sep 2007

We already got your money....
Now up your gazootie.....
You will do what we say......
Or again you will pay.....
In the end, you will do what we say.....
Anyway.....

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Who in their right minds would use MSN anyway?

kraterz 13th Sep 2007

Who in their right minds would go so low as to use MSN / messenger anyway? There are so many other better alternatives, which don't shackle you and bind you in irons to the monopolistic behemoth.

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Well...

mario.albertico 13th Sep 2007

What about the 465 million unique visitors to MSN.com alone? Or how the Live Messenger and Hotmail community/network is the largest in the world? I guess everyone must be in the "right" mind...

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Using your logic...

SpikeyMike 14th Sep 2007

Alber,

Using your logic, then AOL must have been a great provider of Internet connectivity?

I could never understand who the heck would be dumb enough to use AOL, but they were on top for years - until folks woke up and realized there were better alternatives.

I took every opportunity to point out to business owners that having an e-mail address on your business card that ended in @aol.com was a sure-fire way to let the world know they were clueless, at least with regards to technology.

I've never bothered with MSN - but I imagine that most of the 465 million unique visitors are former AOLers! Sigh.

-Mike

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The Only Change Microsoft Knows Is the All Mighty Dollar.

Solid Jedi Knight 14th Sep 2007

If you guys really want to change Microsoft's practicies, then maybe some great software company should be working on an OS to challenge Microsoft. Apple has no PC version and Linux has too many security issues. Linux also doesn't play the latest games and is always behind in graphics cards although some distros are getting better. Open source makes potenially anyone a cracker to compromise the system. Thats not really security. If you want MSN, Apple, or anyone else to do it, quit buying their products and demand a new OS that is consumer friendly. This will also impact MSN Messanger and all Microsoft related services when people send them the message.

Quit Screwing Us Around!

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Let me get this straight...

SpikeyMike 14th Sep 2007

Because I must have missed something along the way.

Jedi Knight has declared that Linux has too many security issues, while at the same time ignoring the fact that the majority of web sites around the globe are running it - with no security issues. How could this be?

While we're at it, the simple fact is that no commercial company can write an alternative OS because Microsoft won't let them. Linux is alive and well because it has too many heads. Try as they might, Microsoft can't cut them all off!

Personally, I don't think 'consumer friendly' is the answer. I think 'consumer education' is. There have been quite a few studies done where a remarkable percentage of users clicked buttons labeled 'Click to Download Virus'. No sir, unless a person takes the time to learn how to properly administer a computer, they have no business changing the configuration. Home PC's are always screwed up for a reason - the lose nut behind the keyboard.

-Mike

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What about the Windows Updater "

mannyamador 14th Sep 2007

Why isn't mary Jo writing on the sneaky "stealth update" of Windows Updater? It could have serious security implications, depending on its effects. This would be far more interesting and important than a lame (in comparison) post on MS Messenger.

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Contributr

Stealth Updates

Mary Jo Foley 14th Sep 2007

I didn't write about the Windows Update updating itself issue since my blogging colleague Adrian Kingsley-Hughes covered it in more depth than I could.

If you would like to read his coverage, it's here:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware

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RE: Microsoft to force Messenger users to upgrade

threesistersj@... 14th Sep 2007

what was the significance of this article? are you trying to educate me on new software updates or alert me to a possible infringement on my personal right to refuse an update. Is this really going to cause an adverse reaction on anything? Please let me know. I don't understand why this article was ever printed.

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RE: Microsoft to force Messenger users to upgrade

Sefy 14th Sep 2007

I hope Microsoft Ruts in Hell for starters! there is NO way i will switch to any version over 7.5! i found that if you go to the installation folder of your 7.5 and do a Properties on your msnmsgr.exe and set it to Compatibility of Windows 2000, it will login again!

The day i will NOT be able to login using 7.5 is the day i will STOP using Messenger completely!

STOP letting Microsoft terrorize us! on ICQ i can still use ICQ98 if i wanted to!

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RE: Microsoft to force Messenger users to upgrade

_DC_ 16th Sep 2007

None too happy? Try not happy at all!
http://messengersays.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!5B410F7FD930829E!29167.entry

The response? Completely ignore the nearly 100% of users who state they hate live and/or can't use it and wants a patch for msn 7.5.
http://messengersays.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!5B410F7FD930829E!29467.entry

After that, the WL project manager pops up and states a very condescending post pretty much saying they are right, we are dumb, and over-exaggerate the seriousness of the flaw, and understate completely the real number of users pissed off.
http://messengersays.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!5B410F7FD930829E!29474.entry

This google search shows there are currently 822,000 hits for users that are pissed about being forced and are looking for a fix to use msn 7.5 and below. The number was 670,000 12 hours ago.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=msn+7.5+forced+upgrade+fix&btnG=Search

Microsoft is using this minor security flaw as an excuse to force software on their users, and nothing more.

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MS Messenger, Trivial App #infinity

voltaic 16th Sep 2007

who uses any of the microsoft messenger incarnations? really!?

they are one of the most recent players to the game, and they do THE EXACT SAME THING that any other chat tools does. it sends and receives text!! for god's sake everyone, please pull your head out of your asses and see trivial programs for what they are!

there is absolutely nothing special about ANY chat protocol, so why in the world do you need a new one every 5 years, and especially one by a company that has more security and stability flaws in its software than Enron had financial trouble.

/sigh

seriously, if this trivial app bothers you so, there are innumerable others. shut up and get downloading.

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that's your preference

_DC_ 17th Sep 2007

You can just shut up and let people use what they prefer. If you hadn't noticed, just because a chat client sends text and receives text, that doesn't qualify it as the best thing ever, nor exactly the same in functionality as every other client. If sending text and receiving text is YOUR only qualifier for being a "good enough" chat client, you go and get downloading a text only client, got it? If you already have one and use it, good for you, you got what YOU want, not what everyone else does.

The interface, features, and functionality of the program make it the reason people prefer it. With a few patches, MSN 7.5 because an extremely great ap that's fast, ad free, and has what you want. People can do that ti Live already as well, but when Live is slow as f*ck and tends to have a lot of issues, that makes it suck. That makes people hate it.

Why don't you tell the 8,220 sites (assuming 100 hits per same site) worth of people who are pissed about this and want the forced update to stop. Wait till the day you're the one sitting there having a program you don't want being forced on you when you are using the program you want over others for your own reasons... such as personal preference.

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RE: Microsoft to force Messenger users to upgrade

Davethewave83 20th Sep 2009

There are several hacks to get around this.The hack I discovered lets you keep 8.1 without the upgrade. You do not need compatibility mode you only need to trick the client identity. Download a hex editor like HxD, open the msnmsgr.exe inside the Hex Editor. Search for the ASCII Text winnt (just the first instance, you do not need to replace all) Now replace the string of text from winnt to anything 5 characters long and there you go, save and exit. Messenger will now work with 8.1 with plus and all the bells and whistles without forced upgrade. The other hack deals with reshack in changing the version information of messenger.

See http://tandkram.blogspot.com/ for that hack if you prefer that method.