Windows Live Messenger 8.0 Download

Windows Live Messenger 8.0 was the first version when MSN Messenger was renamed as “Windows Live Messenger”, as part of Microsoft’s Windows Live program to rebrand many existing MSN services and programs.

The first beta of the newly renamed Windows Live Messenger – WLM 8.0, Beta 1, was released on December 13, 2005.It remained online and usable for around a month until an auto-update feature forced one to install Beta 2, rendering this version obsolete. This beta 1 of WLM 8.0 included the following features:

• offline messaging,
• an option to change the color theme of the windows,
• separated send and search boxes,
• a word wheel search box in the main window,
• and additional details for contacts when hovering over their names in the contact list window.

The second beta of Windows Live Messenger 8.0, Beta 2, was released on February 26, 2006.Beta 2 fixed and improved several smaller places in the program.Major changes and additions included

• the introduction of Windows Live Contacts,
• the reintroduction of single file transfer,
• improvements to the “Add a Contact” dialog box,
• improved color themes,
• minor changes in the conversation window,

and revert of the “Busy” status icon back to the normal dash icon

The final beta version, Beta 3, was released on May 2, 2006 and major changes and additions included

• new icons for the program,
• PC-to-phone calling,
• an updated look for the Windows Live Call window,
• a new default display picture,
• the Windows Live Today window,
• improvements to the grouping of sequential messages from each contact,
• Rhapsody integration in the U.S.,
• and an option for sounds to be edited and/or turned off

Although no notable changes were made between Beta 3 and the final version, the change from MSN Messenger to Windows Live Messenger brought some additional changes, such as,

• the status “On the phone” from the previous version was renamed to “In a call” due to the addition of Windows Live Call,
• customization for the nicknames of individual contacts,
• timestamps on messages,
• the ability to see a contact’s name only once if the same person writes multiple messages in a row,
• . and color schemes for the entire application.

Also when Windows Live Messenger 8.0 was officially released, the main authentication system, Microsoft Passport Network, was replaced with Windows Live ID.
Later, an update labeled the Refresh to version 8.0, was released on August 10, 2006. It included audio and video improvements and fixed up minor bugs.

Download Windows Live Messenger 8.0 from here and enjoy.

You can also download Windows Live Messenger 9, the latest version of WLM.

Filed under: Software Tips