You need the latest version of Messenger to use ...
[edit] More stupidity from the Microsoft Department of Microsoft Stupidity Department
By Eric Hartwell, September 18, 2007
After you upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft's messenging product, then try to use the remote assistance or application sharing, it says:
- "Your invitation was not sent because you need the latest version of Messenger to use the Application Sharing feature. Please go to the Windows Live Messenger update site] to install the latest version."
The link goes to the Windows Live Messenger download page, most recently http://get.live.com/messenger/overview, where you can download Windows Live Messenger again. And get the same message again.
Eventually, after reinstalling, rebooting, locating and uninstalling all previous versions of (Messenger, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, etc.), rebooting, reinstalling (while NOT replacing my home page or installing the MSN toolbar), and rebooting, I decided to do a Google search for the message.
[edit] There's got to be an answer
The answer was very precisely given by Jonathan Kay, Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger Associate Expert in the microsoft.public.windowsxp.messenger group, most recently on 5/4/2007:
- "What it means is you need the latest version of Windows Messenger (note: not Live) installed. Remote Assistance utilizes the Windows Messenger API to work properly, which requires Windows Messenger installed. Just having Windows LIVE Messenger installed, isn't good enough. You can grab Windows Messenger here: http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a8d9eb73-5f8c-4b9a-940f-9157a3b3d774. After this you can continue to use Windows Live Messenger and Remote Assistance will work."
Catchy URL, that.
Validation required, of course. With a workaround needed for IE7, of course.
[edit] Why me?
As Wikipedia precisely points out,
- "Windows Messenger should not be confused with the similarly-named Windows Live Messenger (formerly known as MSN Messenger), which is a separate instant messaging product available for download from Microsoft. It is also not related to the Messenger Service, which is a component of Windows NT's LAN Manager. ... Development of Windows Messenger was halted after version 5.1, in favor of Windows Live Messenger and Office Communicator. Plugins for Windows Messenger, such as accessing the inbox of a Hotmail account, are no longer available; users are instead encouraged to download Windows Live Messenger or Office Communicator, depending on their needs."
[edit] Sanity has left the building
So, there are a number of problems here.
- The error message is WRONG. You don't need the "latest version of Messenger", you need the old Windows Messenger, version 5.1.
- The link points to the Windows Live Messenger download page, not anything remotely related to Windows Messenger. Good misdirection.
- Who could ever confuse Windows Messenger with Windows Live Messenger? Me, I guess. It was bad enough when we had Messenger, Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger, and all their variations. Now we have Windows Live Messenger which is incompatible MSN Messenger but secretly requires Windows Messenger. Microsoft Marketing has run amok, and sanity has left the building.
