Microsoft will close Messenger service by March 15

In two months, the popular service is all set to be transformed

First, it was Yahoo! that decided to shut down its public chat rooms on December 14 last year. Now, another popular messenger service is all set to fold up.

Microsoft (MS), on Wednesday, informed the users of its Messenger platform - who number more than 100 million - through an e-mail, with the subject, Important info about your Messenger account, that it plans to shut down the service in about two months.

"Hello, On 15th March 2013 we are retiring the existing Messenger service globally (except for mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available) and bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together," was the crux of the mail.

It is learnt that MS has decided to continue with the service in China predominantly owing to the fact that a local provider is operating its Skype (VoIP and video calling) service.

The official intimation further added, "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. 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."

It ended with an emphatic 'Update Now' call.

For the record, MS acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in May 2011. It was subsequently integrated with Facebook and other platforms, which accounted for its ever-growing popularity.

In order to clarify how the shut down would pan out from now and March 15, MS has also answered some queries, which it deems might bug the minds of its Messenger users.

So, what's happening between now and 15th March?

Messenger will continue to work as you know it today. 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.

So, what's happening after 15th March?

Messenger users on desktops will not be able to sign in and will only be able to upgrade to Skype. If you attempt to sign in, a notification will appear, and if you continue, you will be taken through our installer flow to install Skype and automatically uninstall Messenger at the same time.

Can I update to Skype on my mobile?

Yes! Skype is available on iPhone, Android and soon on Windows Phone 8. We encourage you to download the latest Skype app on your mobile and then uninstall Messenger. You will be able to sign in to Skype on your iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 8 mobile apps with your Microsoft Account over the next few weeks. If you use another phone with Messenger on it, it will continue to work for a while.

So, Messenger users, what do you think about the move by Microsoft to shut down your favorite service?

First Published in http://www.ciol.com/ciol/news/155418/after-yahoo-microsoft-retire-messenger-service