Shoutbox

We have been running Windows Live Messenger 8.1 under Windows Server 2003.

When we tried to log in this morning, it said "A new version is available. You must install the newer version in order to continue. Would you like to do this now?"

When we did this, it said "Couldn't install programs. Sorry, you cannot install the programs you've chosen on this operating system."

It seems that Windows Live Messenger does not currently list Windows Server 2003 in its list of compatible versions.
http://download.live.com/SystemRequirements

How can we get Windows Live Messenger to work on our system now?

Thanks for your prompt reply. As there is no Compatability tab in the Properties on the program shortcut, I will try the standalone installation. Do we need to uninstall the old version before installing the new version?

PS: Should the second link be spelled "http://messenger ..."?

quote:

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Originally posted by harry888
Thanks for your prompt reply. As there is no Compatability tab in the Properties on the program shortcut, I will try the standalone installation. Do we need to uninstall the old version before installing the new version?

PS: Should the second link be spelled "http://messenger ..."?

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I've done a full blog entry on this, including a quick utility to do the compatibility mode for you, which you can find here:
http://messengergeek.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E37...81BBDA1!3406.entry

The reason why it wasn't showing is because you went to the properties for the shortcut, not the executable.

Yeah, slight typo there.  Here's the full listing of what you'll need to install for Server 2003 (it's solution 2 on the blog):
Windows Live Messenger
Windows Live Communications Platform
Microsoft Visual Studio Runtime
Microsoft Application Error Reporting (32-bit) or Microsoft Application Error Reporting (64-bit)
Segoe UI Font (for prettyness)

Thanks for your prompt and helpful reply.