Microsoft confirms that Skype is to replace Windows Live Messenger

Just yesterday we heard reports that Microsoft was to retire Windows Live Messenger in favour of Skype and today that move has been confirmed today. Microsoft has said that the Windows Live Messenger instant messaging service will start to be discontinued from early 2013.

“We will retire Messenger in all countries worldwide in the first quarter of 2013 (with the exception of mainland China where Messenger will continue to be available),” says Skype's Tony Bates.

Some 100 million existing Messenger users will be merged across to Skype in the coming months. This number could significantly boost active Skype users, of which there are currently 280 million monthly active users. Of course, this is assuming that no-one uses both Messenger and Skype.

With the latest version of Skype (6.0) users are being given the option to integrate their Windows Live Messenger and Skype accounts.

KitGuru says: At the end of the day, we have little doubt that Skype is the better messaging service.

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