Windows Messenger versus Windows Live Messenger

I have both Windows Messenger and Windows Live Messenger programs on my
computer.
Are they basically the same type of program?
If so should I uninstall one of them?
If so which one?

I have never used Windows Messenger (version 4.7) and don't know how.
I have used Windows Live Messenger (latest version) for instant messaging.
I suspect that it occasionally freezes up my computer. Maybe because I have
both programs installed.

Greetings Jelly,

They are separate applications and designed to be both installed. In fact, some features
within Windows Live Messenger require Windows Messenger to be installed, like Remote
Assistance, Whiteboard, Application Sharing and few other third-party things that make use of
the Messenger API.

Unless it's specifically bothering you, it is recommended that you leave it around.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2008 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--


"Jelly" <> wrote in message
news:66257593-EDD3-4872-B828-...
> I have both Windows Messenger and Windows Live Messenger programs on my
> computer.
> Are they basically the same type of program?
> If so should I uninstall one of them?
> If so which one?
>
> I have never used Windows Messenger (version 4.7) and don't know how.
> I have used Windows Live Messenger (latest version) for instant messaging.
> I suspect that it occasionally freezes up my computer. Maybe because I have
> both programs installed.
>

Hellow Jonathan,

Am I correct to say that your response is true on non-Vista Windows
OSes? On Vista WLM seems to be able to handle RA and all others without
Windows Messenger. Besides it appears Windows Messenger can not be
installed on Vista.

On Windows XP, I have both Windows Messenger and WLM. When I log in to
WLM I am automatically logged out of Windows Messenger but I can still
do RA from WLM. I wonder if Windows Messenger need remain installed.

churin

Jonathan Kay [MVP] wrote:
> Greetings Jelly,
>
> They are separate applications and designed to be both installed. In fact, some features
> within Windows Live Messenger require Windows Messenger to be installed, like Remote
> Assistance, Whiteboard, Application Sharing and few other third-party things that make use of
> the Messenger API.
>
> Unless it's specifically bothering you, it is recommended that you leave it around.
>

churin wrote:

> On Windows XP, I have both Windows Messenger and WLM. When I log in to
> WLM I am automatically logged out of Windows Messenger but I can still
> do RA from WLM. I wonder if Windows Messenger need remain installed.
>
In the above "I can still do RA from WLM" is not true and I can not. My
regular RA partner(help recepient) uses WXP. Whenever she has difficulty
initiating RA request I always give her instructions assuming she is
using WLM. I do not have any problem communicating with her this way. It
is bit of puzzling. I do not know what version of WLM she is using.

churin

Hi,

In Vista, Whiteboard and Application Sharing have been removed and Remote Assistance was
re-written to not require Windows Messenger.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2008 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--


"On the Bridge" <> wrote in message
news:47bcd67d$...
>>Windows Live Messenger require Windows Messenger to be installed, like Remote Assistance,
>>Whiteboard, Application Sharing
>
> what about vista, that does have windows messenger, are these features unavailable???
>
> --
> 50 Ways to leave your Vista....
>
> CHORUS:
>
> You just format the drive , Clive
> Get a New Mac , Jack
> Y'don't need that crap toy, Roy
> Just get yourself free
> Boot from a *nix, Jix
> You don't need to discuss much
> Install XP, Lee
> And get yourself free
>
>
>
> "Jonathan Kay [MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:0B3C76BF-5A4B-49E3-86EE-...
>> Greetings Jelly,
>>
>> They are separate applications and designed to be both installed. In fact, some features
>> within Windows Live Messenger require Windows Messenger to be installed, like Remote
>> Assistance, Whiteboard, Application Sharing and few other third-party things that make use
>> of the Messenger API.
>>
>> Unless it's specifically bothering you, it is recommended that you leave it around.
>>
>> --
>> Jonathan Kay
>> Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
>> MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
>> MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
>> Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
>> (c) 2008 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
>> --
>>
>>
>> "Jelly" <> wrote in message
>> news:66257593-EDD3-4872-B828-...
>>> I have both Windows Messenger and Windows Live Messenger programs on my
>>> computer.
>>> Are they basically the same type of program?
>>> If so should I uninstall one of them?
>>> If so which one?
>>>
>>> I have never used Windows Messenger (version 4.7) and don't know how.
>>> I have used Windows Live Messenger (latest version) for instant messaging.
>>> I suspect that it occasionally freezes up my computer. Maybe because I have
>>> both programs installed.
>>>
>>
>
>

Greetings Churin,

To answer your question, yes I am referring to XP only. Windows Messenger does not work on
Vista and Remote Assistance in Vista was developed to be an independent with APIs that any
software can plug into (although I believe Windows Live Messenger is the only one at present
that does).

On XP, Windows Messenger simply needs to be installed as Remote Assistance expects it to be
there. It does not need to be running and certainly you should not be signed in on it if
you're using Live Messenger to initiate your sessions.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2008 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--


"churin" <> wrote in message news:OHx2j#...
>
> churin wrote:
>
>> On Windows XP, I have both Windows Messenger and WLM. When I log in to WLM I am
>> automatically logged out of Windows Messenger but I can still do RA from WLM. I wonder if
>> Windows Messenger need remain installed.
>>
> In the above "I can still do RA from WLM" is not true and I can not. My regular RA
> partner(help recepient) uses WXP. Whenever she has difficulty initiating RA request I
> always give her instructions assuming she is using WLM. I do not have any problem
> communicating with her this way. It is bit of puzzling. I do not know what version of WLM
> she is using.
>
> churin

Jonathan Kay [MVP] wrote:

> On XP, Windows Messenger simply needs to be installed as Remote Assistance expects it to be
> there. It does not need to be running and certainly you should not be signed in on it if
> you're using Live Messenger to initiate your sessions.
>
This negates what I stated previously being ""I can still do RA from
WLM" is not true". Another word you are saying RA can be initiated from WLM.

My experiment indicates that your above statement is true IF the Windows
XP on which WLM is running is 32bit version. I have Windows XP 32bit
system and Windows XP 64bit system. RA option is available with WLM
running on 32bit OS but not available with WLM running on 64bit OS even
though Windows Messenger is installed on it.

Maybe the question to ask is, why would I need both? What do they do
differently? And which works best with Vista? I ask because I don't
know about other people, but I need to reduce the number of redundant
programs by selecting the best that work with my system. Unlike more
independant thinkers, I usually prefer MS products since I have Vista,
but since MS has a number of redundant or very similar products, I find
I need to even reduce those to just the ones I really need or want to
use.

so again, unless messenger and live messenger do extrememly DIFFERENT
things on a des or laptop, please, which one has the most or more
powerful features?


--
mimijel

Greetings,

Windows Messenger does not work on Vista. Of the "Messenger" Microsoft products, only
Windows Live Messenger 8.1 and above works on Vista so you have no choice. But, the Windows
Messenger feature set is nearly 8 years old and is slowly being phased out anyway.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger
MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
MessengerGeek Blog: http://www.messengergeek.com
Messenger Resources: http://messenger.jonathankay.com
(c) 2008 Jonathan Kay - If redistributing, you must include this signature or citation
--


"mimijel" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> Maybe the question to ask is, why would I need both? What do they do
> differently? And which works best with Vista? I ask because I don't
> know about other people, but I need to reduce the number of redundant
> programs by selecting the best that work with my system. Unlike more
> independant thinkers, I usually prefer MS products since I have Vista,
> but since MS has a number of redundant or very similar products, I find
> I need to even reduce those to just the ones I really need or want to
> use.
>
> so again, unless messenger and live messenger do extrememly DIFFERENT
> things on a des or laptop, please, which one has the most or more
> powerful features?
>
>
> --
> mimijel