Microsoft has confirmed the discontinuation of Windows Live Messenger will take place on March 15, after which users will be required to use Skype, which the tech giant purchased in 2011.
The company announced last November the move would occur in the first quarter of 2013, but in an email to more than 100 million Messenger users today it confirmed the end date for the service.
The email – entitled “Important info about your Messenger account” – told users: “It’s time to update Messenger to Skype!” The only exception will be for users in China, who will still have access to Messenger as the platform is locally operated.
Microsoft purchased Skype in May 2011 for US$8.56 billion in cash, beating off interest from Google and Facebook. The company says that users should easily be able to make the transition from Messenger to Skype.
“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,” the email reads. “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.”
In the meantime, Messenger will continue to work as usual, while reminding users of the impending retirement.
The email said: “If you are signed in with Messenger on your desktop you will see a banner notification to upgrade. When you click on the banner, an installer window will open with the request to upgrade. This will take you through our installer flow to install Skype and automatically uninstall Messenger.”
