Color Scheme Improvements

In the previous beta build, when you changed your color scheme to a saturated color, Messenger showed a lighter version of that color. In this beta refresh, when you choose a saturated color, we use that color. Messenger can also automatically choose a color scheme that compliments a selected background.

Conversation Window History

Want a clean, sleek conversation window history area? You can now choose to only show “Contact name says:” in the conversation window history when the speaker changes.

Improved Audio Platform

Check out all the configuration options for sounds associated with Messenger events.

Live Contacts

Want the most up-to-date phone number or street address for your instant messaging contacts? Subscribe to their contact information with Windows Live Contacts and you’ll always have their most recent published information in your address book.   

Updated Windows Live Look and Feel

We gave you the first peek at the Windows Live look for Messenger in February.  Since then, we’ve updated our status icons, the look of the main window and conversations windows, and more!

Known Issues

Accessibility

• The Sharing Window is not fully keyboard-accessible
• Very little support for high contrast mode throughout the Beta

Contacts

• EASI passport Messenger users don’t receive an error message when adding a federated contact as an instant messaging contact
• The main window doesn't update after editing a contact. You may have to sign out and sign in for the contact list to update.

Installation

• Before installing on Windows Vista, you must uninstall previous versions of Messenger. Upgrading from previous versions of Messenger is not supported and can result in unexpected behavior, such as Messenger repairing itself when first opened.

Parental Controls

• Parental controls are not supported in Messenger Beta, so restricted accounts cannot log in.

Sharing Folders

• Sharing is not supported on unsigned versions of Messenger, such as if a third-party Messenger add-in is installed.
• Long delays in replication may result when attempting to sync with multiple active sharing relationships.
• Can't delete, open, or edit files when filenames are too long. This most commonly occurs in the <%SystemRoot%>\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Messenger\<email address>\Contacts directory. To take action on the file, rename it.

Video and Call

• Windows Live Call is not yet available in all markets
• Using the Call Computer or Video Conversation features on a Tablet PC can cause Messenger to crash.
• Call quality suffers when using Windows Live Call on a narrowband connection (dial-up).

Windows Vista Support

• Before installing on Windows Vista, you must uninstall previous versions of Messenger. Upgrading from previous versions of Messenger is not supported and can result in unexpected behavior, such as Messenger repairing itself when first opened.
• Windows Vista does not support Voice Conversations (Computer Call).
• On Windows Vista, the Sharing windows do not always work as expected. For example, gleams do not appear on new items in the Sharing Folder and clicking Delete on the right-click menu does not delete the file from the Sharing window.
• On Windows Vista, Messenger might crash if you open the Games or Activities menus in the Conversation window.
• When running the Connection Troubleshooter, errors might be reported when there are no errors.

Other Issues

• Windows Live Messenger Beta might crash if MSN Shell (a 3rd party plug-in) is installed.
• Previously disabled sounds may be re-enabled.