[ ](http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/09/microsoft-retiring-messenger-march15/)
While we knew Microsoft Messenger was [due to retire](http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/06/microsoft-to-retire-messenger-begin-migration-to-skype/) sometime in the first quarter of this year, we now have a confirmed date. According to _The Next Web_, Redmond has informed users via email that they have until March 15th to use the [IM](http://www.engadget.com/tag/InstantMessaging/) platform, after which they will need to hop on to [Skype](http://www.engadget.com/tag/skype/) to chat with their Messenger pals. Your buddy list will automatically be migrated to the [VoIP](http://www.engadget.com/tag/voip/)-focused offering. Desktop users of the outgoing service (globally except mainland China, where it will live on) should receive a banner notification to install Skype and, as it turns out, clicking on said banner will also uninstall Messenger. Road warriors are also taken care of, with Microsoft account support already baked into [iOS](http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/28/skype-ios-update-microsoft-account-support/), [Android](http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/20/skype-version-3-0-arrives-on-android-devices/) and [Windows Phone 8](http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/12/skype-for-windows-phone-8-official-preview-available-now-video/) versions of the Skype app. Nostalgia notwithstanding, fans of the long-standing [MSN](http://www.engadget.com/tag/msn/) descendent can at least take solace in the broader set of features Skype sports.
Filed under: [Internet](http://www.engadget.com/category/internet/), [Microsoft](http://www.engadget.com/category/microsoft/)
**[Comments](http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/09/microsoft-retiring-messenger-march15/#comments)**
**Via:** [The Next Web](http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2013/01/09/microsoft-emails-messenger-users-to-let-them-know-the-service-is-retiring-on-march-15-and-to-upgrade-to-skype/)
URL: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/09/microsoft-retiring-messenger-march15/
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