Some of the most iconic Windows apps like Internet Explorer and MSN have been retired a while ago. History explains why they are no longer available.
Windows has become the most-used desktop and laptop operating system since its first release in 1985. Its user-friendly interface had intuitively designed windows, icons, and menus that played a significant role in ushering in the era of personal computing.
But what has made Windows so popular isn’t just the operating system itself. The software that accompanies the OS is where users really get to interact with their PC or laptop, with apps for communication, creativity, entertainment, and productivity available right out of the box. Of course, technology moves quickly, and with every software update, with every major Windows release, the apps users have come to love are at risk of being replaced. Over the years, several apps have been discontinued despite their popularity, and many have simply been updated or rebranded without much notice. Here are four such iconic Windows apps that you can now only find in the history books.MSN Messenger
Before texting and social media dominated our communication methods, MSN Messenger established itself as the digital hangout for millions of users. It was launched in 1999, and over the next few years, it amassed a total user base of 330 million people. MSN Messenger allowed people to chat in real time, send files back and forth, make voice and video calls, and even see when their friends came online. It was particularly popular among young people, as users could create personalized profiles with custom display names and status messages. A library of emoticons was also available for users to digitally express themselves. Such features are commonplace in contemporary messaging software, like Slack and Microsoft Teams, but in the early 2000s, they were groundbreaking.
However, the 2000s also saw the rise of social media, with MySpace and eventually Facebook offering other features and connectivity to rival MSN Messenger. Smartphones were also gaining traction as everyday devices, and after the first iPhone was launched in 2007, users had a wide variety of affordable and free options for staying in touch with friends, family, and colleagues.
