Microsoft's earlier instant messaging (IM) service, which provided text messaging, file sharing, and voice and video calling. Launched in 1999 as MSN Messenger, in 2005, MSN Messenger and Windows Messenger (the IM in Windows XP) were combined into one system under the Windows Live umbrella. Users could instant message with each other as well as Yahoo! Messenger users. In 2013, Messenger merged into Microsoft's Skype video calling service. See
MSN,
MSN Messenger and
Windows Live.