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Microsoft is finally shutting down its Windows Live Messenger service - still popularly known as 'MSN Messenger' - on October 31, after it closed in all markets last year with the exception of China.

Microsoft has announced today that on April 8th, you will be forced to upgrade your client and begin using Skype as the company works to close down its WLM platoform in favor of Skype.

Microsoft has sent out an email to the remaining Windows Live Messenger users, informing them that the service will shut down on March 15th, except in China, to be replaced by Skype.

Skype for Linux has been updated to feature a Microsoft account log in page, with the hopes of making the transition for Windows Live Messenger users easier for when Messenger is terminated next year.

In an unusual move, internet communication giant Skype has given away a free month's use to many users, opening up all the service's abilities for a short time. Expect prank calls aplenty in future.

Microsoft confirms that it will retire the Windows Live Messenger service in the first quarter of 2013, and that Skype will carry the instant messaging torch for the company.

Rumor has it that Microsoft is planning on retiring Windows Live Messenger over the next few months, with the service being integrated into and replaced by Microsoft's own Skype

Microsoft has finally explained what was contained in a recent software update for its Windows Live Essentials 2011 bundle, including some fixes for Messenger, Mail, Movie Maker and more.

Microsoft has issued an official statement, admitting that its Windows Live Messenger app is in fact blocking links in its messages to The Pirate Bay.

A new report claims that Microsoft is blocking links to The Pirate Bay from working when URLs are sent on Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger application.

Microsoft has announced that it has released a new update for Windows Live Essentials 2011, offering up minor updates to a number of programs including Windows Live Messenger, Mail and more.

Imagine this: Microsoft releases a new mobile platform and when it comes to bringing their popular messaging client to the platform, they outsource the coding to someone else. Sound strange? Well, it gets even more...

Microsoft has released Windows Live Messenger for its Zune HD device. The application, a full year after the Zune HD was released, includes the ability to check out social updates from your friends. Shared items from...

As many of you may have noticed, Microsoft has introduced a new feature to Windows Live Messenger. SmartScreen is a handy bit of code that either allows a user to directly access a whitelisted site,...

If you have been waiting for the official Microsoft Windows Live Messenger for the iPhone, version 1.01 has been approved for the App Store. The WLM for iPhone includes all the features that you...

The BBC today announced the launch of a new beta version of its video on demand service - iPlayer. The beta version (accessible here) delivers a range of new features. Amongst them, users will now be...

Microsoft said on Thursday that it is introducing a new social API that allows new ways for partners and developers to connect with Messenger. John Richards and Angus Logan took the stage at The Next Web...

A new Windows Live Messenger Wave 4 Milestone 3 screenshot has leaked onto the Internet, spotted by LiveSide.net. Neowin can confirm the screenshot is genuine and looks identical to ones we have seen and...

Microsoft has shared some new Windows Live Messenger stats, confirming that more than 300 million people in 76 countries and 48 languages use Messenger every month. The Windows Live Social Networking team also shared individual statistics...

We promised you a look at Windows Live Messenger 2010 earlier this week when we revealed Microsoft is planning both Bing and Messenger iPhone applications next year. Thanks to an anonymous tipster we received several screenshots...

Patchou has announced his 2009 Messenger Plus! Live contest with no less than 1,000 prize packages up for grabs. The contest does not require any form of entry, only for users to simply click...

On July 22, 1999 Microsoft launched what would become the world's most popular instant messenging service, currently with over 330 million active users every month. Previously named MSN Messenger, it was released to work on...

Update: All systems are back up and running Many users have been locked out of their accounts as problems with users inbox's seem to be inaccessible by any means. The problem appears to be...