What is the difference between Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger?

volshan

If, as I suspect, by 'Windows Messanger' you mean the Windows Messaging Service, the difference is that it is a service that was designed to allow administrators of servers to send messages to the users currently using those servers. It's been expanded enough that any computer runing the service can now send such messages to any other computer running the service. Such messages appear as as 'application pop up' boxes, much the same way as windows errors show up. MSN Messanger is an application that you run to have 'chat' or live two-way communication with other users, much like AIM (AOL Instant Messanger) or Google chat. In short the former is a service designed for use primarily by system administrators, and the latter is a chat program. A couple of years ago someone wrote a program that allowed spammers to use the messanger service to send messages to large blocks of IP addresses at one time across the internet. While that's not what the service was designed for by any means, it's obviously possible. Consequently, it's frequently suggested that in a home environment it be disabled. Jul 22 06, 5:18 PM