Live Messenger for XP

[punkypink (imported)]

So MS has released their Live Messenger 2011. And, as of today, stopped anyone who hasn't upgraded from being able to log onto their messenger.

Now I have no personal problems with clicking on the "update" button. The problem is, Microsoft wants me to upgrade... but does not let me.

I use XP x64, and for years now MS has been shitting on us. Their XP version of Live Messenger works fine on x64, but they REFUSE to make an installer that will let us install Live Messenger. Previously I was able to find someone who had uploaded the bare MSI files for Messenger 8.5 so that XP x64 users could sidestep Microsoft's obtuseness in refusing to provide an installer for a program that works just fine on this OS, and been upgrading messenger per normal since.

However, now the installers all refuse to work, and I'm at a loss as to what to do.

What I do not want is to hear "upgrade to windows 7" suggestions. As anyone who might have been aware I've been having other issues of late with my personal life and I have neither the time, money or energy to go thru the hassle of installing a new OS and re-downloading everything again, especially since I have 3 MMOs that would take me days just to re-patch.

Any other suggestions for sidestepping MS's idioticity so that in this time where I desperately need the social networking and support due to what has happened in my personal life, I can obtain that without being forced to install a new OS, I'd be most grateful, thanks.

[bella (imported)]

try somethng like

pidgin www.pidgin.im (http://pidgin.im)

disgby http://www.digsby.com/

these allow you to connect to MSN (windows live messenge), Yahoo, AIM, Google, Facebook chat etc all in one program