A new update for Windows Live Messenger and the other Windows Live Essentials programs is now available for free download here.

Over the next four weeks, whether you’re still running Messenger 2008 (versions 8.1 or 8.5), or you just installed Messenger 2009 in the last few months, you’ll see a prompt encouraging you to upgrade to the latest version of Messenger.

 

Here’s what the prompt will look like.

After clicking the prompt, you’ll be asked
if you want to upgrade.

Messenger upgrade prompt

Messenger upgrade dialog

 

For those who have not yet tried Messenger 2009, this update brings you improved video and audio calls, a new way to see your favorite people at the top of the list, display pictures that can change with your mood, and a fast and easy new way to share photos, among other things. We think it’s the best version of Messenger yet, and we’re not the only ones. PC Magazine gave Messenger 2009 their Editor’s Choice Award!PCMag.com called us their "Editor's Choice"

We’ve also made a few smaller improvements to this release (Build 14.0.8064.0206), so even if you already installed the new Messenger 2009 as recently as January 2009, you should consider getting the update. The latest version includes a lot of behind-the-scenes improvements that you may not notice if you already have Messenger 2009, but that will help Messenger and the other Windows Live Essentials programs all run a little more smoothly.

If you see the above prompts and accept the upgrade, the installer will begin upgrading Messenger, and will give you the option to add other programs that are part of the Windows Live Essentials suite. Click each program to get more info before you decide which ones you want, but they’re all great additions to your Windows PC, and they’re all free. If you already have versions of any of these programs (Windows Live Mail, Photo Gallery, Family Safety, Writer, Movie Maker (beta), or Toolbar), they’ll be automatically upgraded to their latest versions along with Messenger, so that all the Essentials can work together properly.

Upgrade today, and let us know what you think, either here in comments, or through our feedback site at http://feedback.live.com.

All the best,

-  The Windows Live team

P.S. If you need help with Messenger sign-in or other errors, please visit http://messenger-support.spaces.live.com/. For help with webcam connectivity in Messenger, see this blog post: http://messenger-support.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!8B3F39C76A8B853F!14323.entry