Messenger Plus! is the most popular MSN plug-in, collecting together all the extras users could ask for into one program. It's certainly an excellent pack of tools which heavy Messenger users consider as essential and which certainly improves your IM experience. Over all these years it has been able to adapt to every new Messenger version, including the name change and the new interface design. In fact, Messenger Plus! is now seamlessly integrated into Windows Live Messenger 2011: the only way you can tell it's there is by the tiny button on the top right corner of the main interface.

The Messenger Plus! tools can be divided into several groups, depending on the aim they're made for: you get tools to improve your chats, format text, change Messenger's appearance with skins, customize fonts and manage chat logs, among others. Messenger Plus! also lets you password protect your Messenger and includes support for scripting, so that you can add your own features to the plug-in.

The list of improvements Messenger Plus! brings to Windows Live Messenger doesn't end here. Tabbed chat windows, custom status messages, quick texts for frequently used expressions are just some of the new features you’ll be able to enjoy with Messenger Plus!. It can take a while to tweak all these settings, but fortunately a useful after-install wizard makes the basic initial configuration a lot easier.

All in all, Messenger Plus! is probably the only plug-in you'll ever need, especially if you like customizing every single detail of your Messenger.

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Being a portable app, Windows Live Messenger Portable doesn’t require installation or administrator privileges. Simply launch the .EXE file and you’re ready to go. It’s perfect for shared computers at school, cafés or libraries or anywhere you’re not allowed to install software.

Windows Live Messenger Portable looks exactly like the standard version. The program features a colorful interface with the menu bar hidden on the top right corner, and plenty of emoticons, winks and other elements to cheer up your chat sessions.

Chat conversations are not the only thing you can do with Windows Live Messenger Portable, though. You can also have video chats using your webcam, and make VoIP calls. Application settings and user data, such as display pictures and emoticons, are saved in the same location as the program’s EXE file.

Windows Live Messenger Portable lets you enjoy your favorite IM client anywhere, without installation or administrator privileges.

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As with previous versions, Windows Live Messenger 2011 is part of the Windows Live Essentials suite, which also includes other apps such as Mail, Writer, Sync, Companion, Family Safety, Photo Gallery and Movie Maker, as well as the Bing Bar. Luckily the installation process lets you choose exactly which apps you want on your system.

Windows Live Messenger features a revamped interface. Right after launching it, and thanks to new integration with other services such as Facebook, MySpace and YouTube, the so-called Social Highlights lets you check your friends’ latest news and status messages at a glance. If you still prefer the old style, worry not: Windows Live Messenger lets you switch to the traditional contact list by using the Contacts mode. Bear in mind though that if you use a different email account for your social networks, you’ll have to connect the services on the Windows Live website.

Besides the social element, everything else is pretty much the same on Windows Live Messenger 2011, only with a slightly fresher appearance. You can still do video and voice calls, play online games with your friends, share files, and of course customize the program’s appearance with skins and color themes. Emoticons have been revamped, and – finally! – you can have multiple conversations tabbed in one single window.

The main drawback to the all-new Windows Live Messenger 2011 is that it only works on Windows Vista and Windows 7. So if you still use Windows XP you’ll have to stick to the old version – or upgrade your system!

Windows Live Messenger 2011 is the long-awaited new version of Microsoft’s IM client, now integrated with social networks and other services.

Download Windows Live Messenger 2011 15.4.3002.810 (MSN Messenger) in Softonic

Mess Patch doesn’t have the standard program structure. Instead, it works more like a wizard that walks you through installation and configuration. The program’s options are organized in three main areas (General, Main Window and Conversation Window) and each one of them includes a description.

Using Mess Patch is really simple. Run the file and select the items you want to add, change or improve, from being able to run more than one instance of Messenger to unlocking blocked file extensions, adding avatars to the contact list or customizing the window’s title. When you’re done, launch Windows Live Messenger and all the changes will have been applied straight away. Any applied changes can be undone by running Mess Patch again and selecting the “Restore previous settings” option.

The only drawback to Mess Patch, in our opinion, is the absolute lack of user interface: it would have been nice to have a configuration menu inside Messenger – or as a separate app – to tweak the program’s settings on the spot.

Mess Patch for Windows Live Messenger makes your favorite IM client more powerful and customizable.

Download Mess Patch for Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302.1018 G5 in Softonic

The Anti-Update Patch for Windows Live Messenger 8.5 is a wizard-like app that will guide you step by step through the whole process of patching your favorite IM client. What Anti-Update Patch for Windows Live Messenger 8.5 does is modify the original .EXE file so that your system “believes” you’re actually using a more recent version.

Despite being in French, the Anti-Update Patch for Windows Live Messenger 8.5 is quite easy to use. Simply click the “Suivant” (Next) button on every screen and accept the license agreement. When you’re done, restart the system and your favorite version of Live Messenger will be ready to use

The good thing about the Anti-Update Patch for Windows Live Messenger 8.5 is that you can also use it to restore the original files, by selecting the “Restaurer les fichiers originaux” option.

Anti-Update Patch for Windows Live Messenger 8.5 lets you keep on using your favorite version of Windows Live Messenger.

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In order to maintain the neatness of this design, the menu bar in Windows Live Messenger has been hidden under a few buttons on the top-right corner – though you can temporarily make the standard menu bar visible by pressing the Alt key. While I understand the reason why they did this, it makes menu options a bit uncomfortable to browse.

Windows Live Messenger offers plenty of emoticons and winks to cheer up your conversations. You can expand both collections easily by adding new sets which you'll find by the hundred on the Internet. Customization possibilities include changing the chat window background or even adding a personal message to your nickname, but not creating custom status messages. Also, Windows Live Messenger status messages have now been reduced to "online", "away" or "busy" – so no more "on the phone" or "out to lunch", for example.

Chat conversations are not the only thing you can do with Windows Live Messenger. There is also the possibility of having video chats using your webcam, and also make VoIP calls. Another great feature in Windows Live Messenger is the possibility to view and share pictures within the chat window, without having to send files over to your contact.

Regarding contact lists, the new Windows Live Messenger lets you create specific groups of users, different from the ones previously known as "groups" and which have now been renamed to Categories. These groups allow you to have multiple simultaneous chats with several contacts. Another new feature in the contact management system in Windows Live Messenger is Favorites, a special category that enables you to have the people you talk to most always to hand.

Windows Live Messenger 2009 includes many interesting new features, all conveniently built into a nice interface. I'm not sure that this handful of new functions is the reason why the program weighs in at almost 70 MB.

Windows Live Messenger reaches version 2009 with a renewed interface, loads of new features and a bit of extra weight.

Download Windows Live Messenger 2009 Build 14.0.8117.416 in Softonic

MSN Messenger Polygamy allows you use multiple copies of MSN Messenger at the same time, so you can log on as many times as you want from multiple computers. MSN Messenger Polygamy supports all versions of MSN Messenger including 7.x, 8.x, 9.x and 14.x - this, of course, means Windows Live Messenger too.

MSN Messenger Polygamy isn't actually an IM client but simply a patch that works with your version of MSN Messenger. You can activate and deactivate the patch in a click, although you can only do this before you log on. If you don't have a supported version of MSN Messenger installed, MSN Messenger Polygamy will automatically take you to the developer's site to download one.

MSN Messenger Polygamy is a simple patch that allows you to log into multiple versions of Messenger on different computers.

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Normally, there's no way to stop them but Live Advert Remover (formerly known as MSN Advert Removal) blocks all advertisement banners from being displayed in Live Messenger. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work with the 2009 version of Windows Live Messenger but it supports all previous versions of Live and MSN Messenger, and you only need to run it once to "patch" your system.

It works by running a script that blocks MSN Messenger from communicating with the advertising banners, although it does make the default Live Messenger banner disappear completely. It should also be noted that it does not work with Messenger Plus! but the simple answer to this is to uninstall the Messenger Plus! extension if you have it.

Live Advert Remover blocks pesky ads from getting in between you and your contacts in MSN Messenger.

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Strangely enough, when I tried to install the Plus! Add-on - required to add themes on messenger - the application asked me if I wanted to install advertisements on the messenger. Although it is stated as not being compulsory, and let me choose if I wanted them or not, the add-on didn’t work until I had them installed.

Looking at the theme itself, the graphics and resolution are very good and the main frame, where you have all your contacts, is transformed into a kind of temple entrance with Maya or Aztec style ornaments and of course the frightening gold skull which hides secrets and mysterious Soviet plots. In terms of usability though there are some downsides. With this setting in fact it will be more difficult to understand which contacts are online, and which are not.

Whether you like the adventures of Indiana Jones or, why not, just like archaeology, try this theme for Messenger and feel like you’re part of the latest adventure.

Download Indiana Jones 4 Messenger Skin 1.0.0 in Softonic

Of course, all the features that we've come to know (and in most cases, love) are still housed within MSN Messenger 7.5, such as a plethora of emoticons, the ability to check and send Hotmail directly from the client, and a slick contacts organizer.

Although the new version has improved video chat and contains the ability to send SMS messages, we can't help feeling that Microsoft has fallen behind in terms of technology. For instance, Skype allows you to perform most of the things that MSN Messenger does, as well as letting you make and receive PC phone calls. You also have the age-old problem of MSN taking over your client, as it's filled with even more ads, and a barrage of links to other areas of the MSN portal. A great client for beginners but it doesn't beat Skype for the more Net-savvy user.

Download MSN Messenger for Windows 98/Me 7.0 in Softonic

Additions in MSN Messenger include an interactive video conversation tool, winks - small animations that you can download and send to your pals - and dynamic display pictures that will change emotions based on the emoticons you send.

Of course, all the features that we've come to know (and in most cases, love) are still housed within MSN Messenger 7.5, such as a plethora of emoticons, the ability to check and send Hotmail directly from the client, and a slick contacts organizer.

Although MSN Messenger's version has improved video chat and contains the ability to send SMS messages, we can't help feeling that Microsoft has fallen behind in terms of technology. For instance, Skype allows you to perform most of the things that MSN Messenger does, as well as letting you make and receive PC phone calls. You also have the age-old problem of MSN taking over your client, as it's filled with even more ads, and a barrage of links to other areas of the MSN portal.

MSN Messenger is a great IM client for beginners but it doesn't beat Skype for the more net-savvy user.

Download MSN Messenger for Windows XP 7.5.0322 in Softonic

Of course, all the features that we've come to know (and in most cases, love) are still housed within MSN Messenger 7.5, such as a plethora of emoticons, the ability to check and send Hotmail directly from the client, and a slick contacts organizer.

Although the new version has improved video chat and contains the ability to send SMS messages, we can't help feeling that Microsoft has fallen behind in terms of technology. For instance, Skype allows you to perform most of the things that MSN Messenger does, as well as letting you make and receive PC phone calls. You also have the age-old problem of MSN taking over your client, as it's filled with even more ads, and a barrage of links to other areas of the MSN portal. A great client for beginners but it doesn't beat Skype for the more Net-savvy user.

Download MSN Messenger for Windows 2000/NT 7.0 in Softonic