The latest version of Windows Live Messenger has been leaked. Version 8.5 was leaked by Messenger Addictos, a site dedicated to covering Windows Live Messenger. As the name suggests, the site is in Spanish, and the version that was leaked is also in Spanish. If you want to give it a try there is a way to get it in English.
The screenshots below shows the old messenger compared to the new messenger:
The most obvious changes are with the user interface, but I’m sure there were also a handful of bug fixes with this version.. It’s starting to look more Vista-ish.
You’ll also see a few cosmetic changes with the message window:
You may have noticed with your current version of Messenger that it installs to an MSN Messenger folder. A few weeks ago I went searching for the Windows Live Messenger folder only to find that it wasn’t there! Despite the fact that Microsoft changed the name to Windows Live Messenger, they never created a new folder for it. This version will now finally install to a Windows Live folder.
This isn’t officially released by Microsoft, and it’s not an official beta. With that said, you can get instructions and a download link for an installer which I found in the comments over at Digg. It will require that you download an English Language data file if you want it in English instead of Spanish.
Microsoft also threw in a new bunny emoticon as Mess.be pointed out. The shortcut is (‘.’) and it looks like this:
If you download this version, let us know if you come across any additional changes.
lol! You need to get messpatch and get rid of those laser hair removal ads, Ashley.
Ha! That’s pretty funny. :)
I’m just glad to see Microsoft making their own messenger look good on Vista!
You mean you didn’t like the laser hair removal ad? ;)
The fact that WLM installed to an MSN Messenger folder when it was first released, just shows how pathetic Microsoft’s quality is on releasing software. They obviously couldn’t have cared less where it was installed. No, it’s not a big deal but it shows they don’t care…which to me is why I don’t like/trust them.
MS are just so sloppy with their coding.
[Offtopic]
I just noticed that [pcmweb.nl] stole your screenshots without mentioning CyberNet.
Thanks for pointing that out Pieter :)