Microsoft has announced Windows Live Messenger will be scrapped from 15 March 2013, and existing users will be migrated to Skype.
While it has been known for some time that the end is nigh for Messenger, Microsoft has previously only said that the service would be retired sometime in the first quarter of 2013.
In an e-mail sent to its 100 million Messenger users, Microsoft said it will be "bringing the great features of Messenger and Skype together".
"Update to Skype and sign in using a Microsoft Account (same as your Messenger ID) and all your Messenger contacts will be at your fingertips. You'll be able to instant message and video chat with them just like before, and also discover new ways of staying in touch with Skype on your mobile and tablet."
Microsoft switched its Messenger users over to Microsoft accounts a while ago, meaning the transition to Skype should be a smooth one.
According to Microsoft, Messenger users will begin to see a banner message on the desktop version of Messenger, prompting them to upgrade to Skype. From 15 March users will no longer be able to sign into Messenger, and will only be able to upgrade to Skype.
"You will be able to sign in to Skype on your iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 8 mobile apps with your Microsoft Account over the next few weeks. If you use another phone with Messenger on it, it will continue to work for a while," says Microsoft.
The Skype for Windows 8 client has recently been released and updated and a preview version of the Skype for Windows Phone 8 app is currently available. Looking ahead for Skype, Microsoft is said to be working on adding support for Outlook.com, as well as an Xbox client expected to be released with a new console later this year.
Skype was acquired by Microsoft in 2011, for $8.5 billion. Since then, the popular voice over IP and instant messaging service has grown its user base to about 280 million active users (up by 100 million since the acquisition). As Skype is the bigger platform, it now makes more sense for Microsoft to focus on maintaining it without worrying about Messenger on the side.
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