Download Yahoo Messenger 8.1.0.413

Yahoo! Messenger is a free-to-use instant messaging program that can be used on Mac, UNIX, and Windows operating systems. This program offers users a simple way to keep in touch with friends or relatives through chat rooms, instant messaging, webcam hosting, and phone-to-PC services.

Yahoo! Messenger was originally launched under the name “Yahoo! Pager” during the early part of 1998. Yahoo! Pager combined instant messaging capabilities with email notification to provide real-time communication between computers. No significant updates were made on the program until 2004 when Version 6.0 dropped support for Windows 95 and Windows NT.

However major changes were made when version 7.0.0.426 was released in 2005. This older version changed the name of the service to “Yahoo! Messenger with Voice” and introduced a host of new capabilities including PC-to-PC calling, Yahoo! 360º compatibility, drag-and-drop file and photo sharing, and voicemail. The updated version also brought about a variety of new ringtones, emoticons, and spam reporting skills. Version 7.0 solidified Yahoo! Messenger as a serious contender in the instant messenging arena by launching an assortment of services that its competitors did not possess at that time.

From that point, Yahoo! looked to give more power to the users of the program by setting up a gallery for any user-created plug-ins. These plug-ins can be used on Version 8.0 or later.

When version 8.1.0.195 was released in 2006, the program was once again renamed, this time to “Yahoo! Messenger.” Subsequent editions of the software did not introduce many big changes except for patches to repair security issues with the ActiveX controls. These problems arose in the form of Internet Explorer crashing or malicious data being introduced. Users can prevent the security issues from occurring by simply downloading older versions of the program designed to fix the bug, such as 8.1.0.209, 8.1.0.402, and 8.1.0.419.

Recent editions of Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 have featured new applications like call forwarding, customizable appearances, voicemail delivery, and an in-line media player. Yahoo! Messenger has come a long way from its early days, and its focus on current trends keeps it a frontrunner in the instant messaging industry.