With the introduction of Windows Mobile 5.0, Microsoft also integrated MSN way deeper as it was before (but please keep in mind that it is a carrier/manufacture option which some carriers and manufactures might not use/support). Basically before, with the previous Windows Mobile versions, Hotmail wasn't even accessible (without workarounds) and also the MSN Homepage was just a link in the Favorites. Now, with Windows Mobile 5.0, Microsoft supports Hotmail as an Inbox service as well as it provides a Today screen plug-in for "widely" used MSN services like MSN Messenger, MSN Hotmail, MSN Mobile Home and it also includes a new small stand-alone application called "Pocket MSN" which lets you start the previously described services also:

So far so good and really appreciated if you are a Hotmail user (which I'm not). Therefore I don't need the Today screen plug-in at all and also Pocket MSN (why is it still called Pocket MSN, even if Microsoft renamed everything else to xyz Mobile? ) is something I don't use. But wait a minute - if you open your Programs list from the Start menu, there is no MSN Messenger shortcut available anymore (please note that I have grouped my shortcuts):

Above you can see the basic Windows Mobile applications for communication - from ActiveSync to Internet Explorer and Messaging to Terminal Service Client but MSN Messenger is gone. You have to use either the MSN Today screen plug-in or Pocket MSN to start it.

However, MSN Messenger is still available as a stand-alone application and all you have to do is to copy a link back to your Programs folder:

• Open the File Explorer
• Open the Windows directory
• Search for "instmsgr":
  
• Tap & hold and select "Copy"
• Now scroll on top and open "Start Menu"
• Tap & hold on again and select "Paste Shortcut"
• Now you can rename it to something meaningful (like MSN Messenger) and you are done:
  

Next time you open your Programs list, your MSN Messenger link will appear again and you can open it directly, without using Pocket MSN or the Today screen plug-in (which you can disable if you don't need it at all):

As much I understand and support Microsoft in integrating their own services like MSN deeper (and even better support their own services like Hotmail), I really dislike that they have removed the direct shortcut to MSN Messenger but forces me to use Pocket MSN which I don't need (I even don't have a Hotmail E-Mail account and MSN Mobile is a link in my Favorites anyway). There is no reason to annoy the users with unnecessary steps to open a standard application but (thankfully) Microsoft haven't removed/integrated the complete Messenger application but the link only.

Cheers ~ Arne

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I just installed MSN Mobile software on my new HTC Universal (Windows Mobile 5), and was about to register the software at the MSN site to start using the Messenger, however, it keeps telling me that the e-mail address is not supported.

I use my regular (non-hotmail) e-mail address as my Passport account for MSN Messenger.

It can't be true that not only you have to pay in order to use MSN Messenger on a WM5 device, but that it also only supports hotmail-addresses?

Doesn't work with the Vodafone V1640 as there's no such file. Can I use the file from my old (t)rusty HP h6340, running WM2003ME?

Thanks!

msn messenger is in windows mobile 5.0 on another device called the mda vario on t-mobile in the uk but not on its mda pro aka imate jasjar.why is this? it is realy unfair what is going on.

I think T-Mobile made a serious mistake by removing MSN Messenger and I'm sure, with the next ROM update it's back. Until that, you might want to consider to buy either an O2 Xda Exec or the i-mate JasJar instead of the MDA Pro!

Having just upgraded to the MDAPro I am very disappointed to see a number of issues with the device...

Firstly I have the exact same programmes installed on my MDA3 as I do the MDAPro, the MDA3 has almost 60megs free of space in both programs and storage. The MDAPro has a mere 36megs. Furthermore the removal of Messenger has really disappointed me, whilst not essential it was a nice perk for long train journeys.

Aside from the memory issue - which could be present on all of the MDAPro/O2 Exec series and the fact Messenger has been removed, is there any other reason why I should ditch the Pro and go Exec???

window mobile 5.0