Updated: July 13, 2020 (November 26, 2012)

Skype to Absorb Messenger

As managing vice president, Rob Helm covers Microsoft collaboration and content management. His 25-plus years of experience analyzing Microsoft’s technology... more

The Windows Live Messenger consumer communication service will shut down in the first quarter of 2013 in all countries except China, and Microsoft will encourage its users to move to Skype. The merger will make Skype the most widely used service for Internet presence, instant messaging (IM), and voice and video calling. It will also accelerate Microsoft’s broader plan to expand the reach of its Lync unified communications line.

Skype to Become the Largest Consumer IM Service

Windows Live Messenger is a Microsoft-hosted, ad-supported service that offers IM, presence, and voice and video calling. Previously known as MSN Messenger, it reached as many as 320 million unique monthly users in 2010. Messenger predates Skype, a similar application and service. Microsoft acquired Skype in Oct. 2011 and has worked to integrate it with Messenger.

To prepare for the 2013 Messenger shutdown, Messenger users can now log in to Skype with their Messenger credentials and automatically migrate their Messenger contacts into Skype.

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