MSN / Windows Live Messenger
“The IM client that ate AIM in Europe and most of the world. Replaced by Skype after Microsoft bought it.”
Lived 14 years · By Microsoft
14y
1999 → 2013
April 8, 2013
Microsoft
Communication
Domain status now
Redirects
The domain still resolves but bounces to a different page (often the parent company).
messenger.live.com → microsoft.com
Evidence & sources
Official shutdown source
Original domain
API status
Final regions (mainland China) shut down 31 October 2014.
What replaced it
Skype
skype.com
Microsoft migrated Messenger contacts into Skype — then shut Skype down too in 2025.
Timeline
November 6, 2012
Microsoft announces migration to Skype
April 8, 2013
Worldwide shutdown begins (except China)
October 31, 2014
China region shut down — final goodbye
More from the Communication graveyard
Memorialised as part of The Internet Graveyard. Every URL eventually becomes a 404.