Microsoft shutting down MSN Messenger after 15 years

After 15 long years, Microsoft have announced that it is shutting down MSN Messenger, now known as Windows Live Messenger, on October 31st. While the organisation announced plans to shift users over to Skype in April last year, they kept the service running to support Chinese users.

By Alex Choros

After 15 long years, Microsoft have announced that it is shutting down MSN Messenger, now known as Windows Live Messenger, on October 31st. While the organisation announced plans to shift users over to Skype in April last year, they kept the service running to support Chinese users.

After October 31st, Chinese users will be required to switch to Skype. As an incentive to sign-up to Skype, Microsoft is offering users a $2 credit.

MSN Messenger was launched in 1999 as a competitor to AOL's instant messaging Software, AIM. In 2005, it was rebranded to Windows Live Messenger, and as of five years ago the software had over 330 million active users each month.

Source: Forbes