Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista 64-bit

It has taken Yahoo almost an entire year in order to come out with a half baked pre-beta version of the Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista. Yahoo's instant messaging client, tailored on Microsoft's latest operating system, was initially showcased at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early January. The Sunnyvale-based Internet giant's Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista dropped as a pre-beta build designed for test-driving just one month short of January 2008. In the meantime, the sole roadmap published for the instant messaging client was the promise that it would drop "soon." Almost 12 months later, "soon" came last week.

On December 5, Josh Jacobson, Yahoo Senior Product Manager, announced the public availability of Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista. The pre-beta version is now available for download, truly leveraging Vista's Windows Presentation Foundation, in order to deliver a new level of aesthetics for the application. Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista Build 2007.11.30.420, the first version of the instant messaging client made available delivered support exclusively for the 32-bit editions of the operating system.

Attempting to integrate Build 2007.11.30.420 with the 64-bit SKUs of Vista was an action that only resulted in an installation failure. In a few hours from the release, an unofficial patch became available, designed to transition the 32-bit version of Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista to 64-bit platforms. At the end of the past week, Yahoo also made available the official build for x64 Vista editions.

"Yahoo! Messenger for Vista Preview is now available for users who are running a 64-bit version of Vista. Please go and download the latest version from our website (build 2007.12.06.421). Thanks to everyone for your input on the feedback form regarding the issue. Who knew there were so many 64-bit Vista users out there?" stated Sarah Bacon, Yahoo Product Manager.

At this point in time, there is no official timetable made public by Yahoo for the IM client for Vista. There is simply no telling when the Sunnyvale-based company will finalize the IM client. For the moment, you can download the pre-beta, 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista via this link.