March 15, 2013 is going to be the last day when you’ll be seeing Windows Live Messenger in its full glory. Microsoft is shutting down its age old program because, let’s admit it, not a lot of people use it these days…

In November 2012, Microsoft did make an announcement that it will be soon retiring Windows Live Messenger. However, I, among many other people, was not expecting it to be this soon. Since yesterday, the company has been sending out emails to all its Windows Live Messenger users throughout the world.

This is how it goes:

Hello,

On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together.

Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You’ll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet. 

Yours sincerely,

The Messenger Team

Already, Microsoft’s email and messenger services are being used by a small proportion of people these days. In fact, when compared with Skype, Windows Messenger population is nowhere near it. As for the email services, Microsoft tried to shift its users to ‘Outlook.Com’, to which some Gmail loyalists say that it’s just a rip off of Google mail services.

Anyhow, Skype officials are looking forward to the messenger integration. Until March 2013, Skype and Microsoft teams will be testing the beta version of the Skype+Windows Live thing. As mentioned in the email, you will be able to sign in on Skype, using your Windows Live Messenger ID – so, no problem is to be expected there.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 11th, 2013 at 7:37 AM and is filed under Microsoft, National News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.