14 DAY TRIAL // The latest upgrade to Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) was released on August 19th, 2009, and continues to be up for grabs, but the release will not be available only as a standalone download. In fact, Microsoft has already started to serve Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) 14.0.8089.726 as an automatic update. The distribution process has two phases, the first involving optional upgrades. But starting with the coming month, users of older versions of Microsoft’s instant messaging client will no longer have a say in what release of Windows Live Messenger they will run. In order to ensure that users are protected from a range of vulnerabilities affecting older releases of its IM client, the Redmond company will force Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) 14.0.8089.726 automatic upgrades on the former.
“First Phase, Optional Upgrade - The optional upgrade will happen in two stages: starting Aug. 25, customers using versions 8.1 or 8.5 were asked to upgrade their client. Starting early Oct., all customers using versions 14.0 (but not the latest release 14.0.8089) will be asked to upgrade their client. The upgrade at this time is optional. Customers who haven’t upgraded during the optional phase will be required to do so during the second phase,” informed a member of the Windows Live Messenger Team.
Windows Live Messenger upgrade notifications will be delivered to versions 8.1, 8.5 and 14.0 of the instant messaging client. Customers still running even older versions of MSN Messenger on top of such operating systems such as Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, Windows Me or Windows 98 will not be upgraded. Microsoft is no longer offering support for the operating systems enumerated above.
Microsoft confirmed on August 27th, that the Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) 14.0.8089.726 Upgrade indeed became available for download on August 19th. But at that time the software giant kept mum on what was described as a QFE (Quick Fix Engineering) release for the Windows Live “Wave 3” 2009 clients.
When phase one of the upgrade process is done, customers with Windows Live Messenger versions 8.1, 8.5 and 14.0 (14.0 released prior to August 19th, 2009) will be forced to move to the latest version. Dodging Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) 14.0.8089.726 will lock users out of the instant messaging client, the company warned.
“Second Phase, Mandatory Upgrade - The mandatory upgrade will happen in three stages: starting mid-Sept., all customers using Messenger 8.1 or 8.5 will be required to upgrade their version of Windows Live Messenger. Starting late Oct., all customers using Messenger 14.0 will be required to upgrade their version of Windows Live Messenger. To ensure that we are protecting customers, those who do not administer the upgrade will not be able to sign in to Messenger after this time,” the Windows Live Messenger team representative added.
Windows Live Messenger 9.0 (2009) 14.0.8089.726 is available for download here.
Windows Live Mail 2009 14.0.8089.0726 is available for download here.
Windows Live Family Safety is available for download here.
Windows Live Writer 14.0.8089.726 is available for download here.
Windows Live Photo Gallery 2009 14.0.8081.709 is available for download here.