The next version of Windows Live Messenger is scheduled to drop in a couple of months. This November, Microsoft plans to make available for download a new build of Windows Live Messenger 8.5. Currently, version 8.5 of the Redmond company's instant messaging client is in beta stage, but it appears that Microsoft is readying for the next release of the product. At this time, the company is busy pushing forced upgrades for both MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger as a security measure, in response to a vulnerability affecting the IM's clients and connected with Webcam or Video Chat sessions.

Users of MSN Messenger 6.2, 7.0, 7.5 will be moved to MSN Messenger 7.0.0820, and those running Windows Live Messenger 8.0 will be upgraded to Windows Live Messenger 8.1. Of course that in scenarios where the underlying Windows platform supports Windows Live Messenger, the IM client will be transitioned directly to version 8.1.

Windows Live Messenger 8.1 was launched at the end of January, concomitantly with the company's latest operating system. This move was not a coincidence, as version 8.1 was in fact designed to offer full support for Windows Vista. In May, Microsoft introduced the first beta build for Windows Live Messenger 8.5. The new stage of the instant messaging client offered a redesigned graphical user interface, tailor fitted on the visual stay of Windows Vista. Since May, Windows Live Messenger 8.5 grew into beta 2 stage.

The Beta 2 release was delivered according to the nest phase of the Windows Live suite of products and services. At the beginning of September, Microsoft introduced a unified installer for the offerings bundled under the Windows Live brand umbrella. The Windows Live Installer brought to the table fresh betas for Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Photo Gallery.

Now, according to Microsoft France via PCInpact, the next wave of Windows Live releases is planned for November 2007. Windows Live Messenger, Mail and Photo Gallery as well as Writer, Hotmail, Events, Family Safety, Skydrive and Live Search 2.0 will all drop in November. And since there was no mention of continuing with the beta stages, there is a chance that the products enumerated in this article could be available in the final version in November.