Choose your system (3)
We detected Windows: the first button is the right one.
We detected Linux: the AppImage runs on any distribution; the .deb installs into the menu on Ubuntu, Debian and Mint.
You are on a Mac. There is no Mac program yet, but Messenger works fully in the browser: just sign in on the website.
You are on a phone. The program is for computers; on your phone, use Messenger in the browser or install it as an app.
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Download for Windows
Windows
Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit
- Installer
- msnweb-messenger-1.0.3-setup.exe
- Size
- 290 MB
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Download the AppImage
Linux (AppImage)
Any 64-bit Linux: no installation needed
- Single file
- msnweb-messenger-1.0.3-x86_64.AppImage
- Size
- 373 MB
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Download the .deb
Linux (.deb)
Ubuntu, Debian, Mint and similar
- Package
- msnweb-messenger_1.0.3_amd64.deb
- Size
- 315 MB
Free, no ads and no new sign-up: sign in with your Messenger ID.
What's new in this version 1.0.3
The corner alerts are Messenger's again: when someone signs in, messages you, sends a wink or a nudge, the alert shows in the bottom-right corner, also with the contact list minimized or in the tray (before, a Windows notification showed instead), and several stack one on top of the other; on Linux they now stay in the corner instead of the middle of the screen. Plus the new msnweb.app Pioneer badge next to the nickname, with the gift for whoever got it.
What the program is (9/9)
It is not the website inside a window: it is a program written in Python and Qt that talks directly to the msnweb.app server. Everything the website has, plus what only a program can do.
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A real program - written in Python and Qt, with the windows, sounds and menus of Windows Live Messenger 2009.
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In the tray, by the clock - closing the window does not sign you out; the little buddy turns green, yellow or red with your status.
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System notifications - new messages, contacts signing in and nudges pop up in the corner of the screen, even with the window closed.
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Starts with your computer - Messenger signs in when you turn on your PC, hidden in the tray. You can turn this off in Options.
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What I'm listening to - shows the song playing in any music player on your computer, even in the browser.
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Voice and video calls - right from the conversation window, with your computer's camera and microphone.
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Radio, games and the Room - the room radio, games inside the conversation and the Messenger Room with everyone.
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MSN Space and Messenger Plus! - your space with posts and photos, and Plus! with colored nicknames, sounds and the event log.
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Everything the website has - the same account, the same contacts and the same conversations, on your PC, in the browser and on your phone.
Website, phone or program? (3)
All three use the same account. Pick the one that fits how you use it:
| Feature | Website | Phone | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do I need to install it? | No: it opens in the browser | Install it as an app | Download and install once |
| Stays in the tray, by the clock | No | No | Yes |
| New message notifications | With the website open | Yes, on the phone | From the system, even when closed |
| Starts when the computer turns on | No | No | Yes |
| "What I'm listening to" | Typed or via Last.fm | Typed or via Last.fm | From any music player on the computer |
| Voice and video calls | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Room, games, radio, MSN Space and Plus! | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Same account and same contacts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Works on | Any browser | Android and iPhone | Windows 10 and 11, Linux |
| Best for | Using it on any computer without installing anything | Chatting on the go | Keeping Messenger on all day, like the old days |
Security and trust (6)
What you are downloading, where it comes from and how to check it with your own eyes.
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No viruses, no ads, no collecting your data
The program shows no ads, installs nothing but itself and sends nothing about your computer to anyone. It only talks to the msnweb.app server, for your conversations.
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Encrypted chats, same as the websiteThe end-to-end encryption of conversations is the same as on the website: with it turned on, the message leaves your computer scrambled and only opens on the other person's device.
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The account is the same
You sign in with the same Messenger ID as on the website and the phone. No new sign-up, no new password and no e-mail.
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Files come only from msnweb.app
The buttons on this page download straight from msnweb.app. Do not download the program from other websites: if someone sends you a "Messenger" some other way, do not open it.
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Verified automatic updatesThe program looks for a new version when it opens and every 6 hours, downloads only from msnweb.app and checks the size and the SHA-256 before installing. A different file is deleted and never installed. You can turn this off in Options.
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Uninstalling is simpleOn Windows: Settings → Apps → "Windows Live Messenger (msnweb.app)" → Uninstall. The program, the shortcuts and the "start with the computer" option go away, and it asks whether you also want to delete the saved account and the preferences on this computer. On Linux: delete the AppImage, or
sudo apt remove msnweb-messenger.
Check the file (SHA-256)
The SHA-256 is the file's fingerprint: if a single byte changes, the whole thing changes. After downloading, run the command and compare it with the code here.
| File | SHA-256 |
|---|---|
| msnweb-messenger-1.0.3-setup.exe | dca003873d5a935739632b81e4b718aad8bd649f82d964d2547ac3af3db6fa35 |
| msnweb-messenger-1.0.3-x86_64.AppImage | 4fd7a956861c720e0d4771ba799308cf2fa502272d3ca56246a3125584bf9bed |
| msnweb-messenger_1.0.3_amd64.deb | bb155f81760534ab416e4b338ea8e2a5954e64b692c88df08dd65e644642efd4 |
On Windows (Command Prompt or PowerShell, in the Downloads folder):
certutil -hashfile msnweb-messenger-1.0.3-setup.exe SHA256On Linux (Terminal, in the Downloads folder):
sha256sum msnweb-messenger-1.0.3-x86_64.AppImage msnweb-messenger_1.0.3_amd64.debThe blue Windows warning (3)
When you open the installer, Windows may show a blue box saying it "protected your PC". Don't worry: this does not mean the program has a virus.
Windows shows this warning for every new program that does not yet have a paid publisher certificate (a digital signature bought from a certificate company) or that few people have downloaded so far. Messenger from msnweb.app is an independent, free project and does not have that certificate yet. Over time, as more people use it, the warning tends to go away.
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1 Click More info.
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2 Check the file name and click Run anyway.
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3 The installer opens. It installs only for your user, without asking for an administrator password.
What if my antivirus complains?
Antivirus programs sometimes distrust a new program without a certificate (a so-called "false positive"). Check the SHA-256 above: if it matches the one here, the file is exactly what we published. Then you can allow the file in your antivirus, or use Messenger on the website in the meantime.
Requirements (4)
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Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit - 290 MB download; takes about 766 MB once installed. No administrator password needed.
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64-bit Linux - Ubuntu 22.04 or newer, or equivalent (Debian 12, Mint 21, Fedora 38...). 373 MB AppImage, no installation; 315 MB .deb, takes about 848 MB once installed.
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Internet - To chat, just like on the website. The camera and microphone are only used during calls.
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Mac - No program yet: use Messenger in the browser.
Frequently asked questions (8)
Is it safe?
Yes. The program comes only from msnweb.app, has no ads, does not collect your data, and you can check the SHA-256 of each file on this page. The blue Windows warning only appears because the program does not have a paid publisher certificate yet.
Do I have to pay?
No. The program is free, like the website, and there is nothing to buy inside it.
What about my data?
The account is the same as on the website: the server keeps what Messenger needs to work (your list and your messages). Only the saved account and your preferences stay on the computer. We do not sell data and there are no ads.
How do I uninstall it?
On Windows: Settings → Apps → "Windows Live Messenger (msnweb.app)" → Uninstall (or Control Panel → Programs and Features). At the end it asks whether you also want to delete the saved account and the preferences. On Linux: delete the AppImage, or run sudo apt remove msnweb-messenger.
Does it work on a Mac?
Not yet. On a Mac, use Messenger in the browser: everything works the same, with the same account.
My antivirus complained. What should I do?
Check the file's SHA-256 with the command on this page. If it matches, the file is the one we published and the warning is a new-program "false positive": allow the file in your antivirus. If it is different, delete the file and download it again from here.
Does it update itself?
Yes. On Windows and with the AppImage it downloads the new version in the background, checks it and says "Restart to use it". With the .deb it tells you and opens this page. To turn it off: Tools → Options → Sign In → Updates.
Is it connected to Microsoft in any way?
No. This is an independent fan project inspired by Windows Live Messenger. It is not a Microsoft product, is not endorsed by Microsoft and does not use Microsoft accounts.
Ready to download?
Download for Windows Download the AppImage
Or use Messenger right now in the browser, without installing anything. Sign in on the website