Facebook Messenger for Windows: From Leak to Official Release

Facebook Messenger Desktop App Officially Released After Leak

A version of Facebook Messenger for Windows, previously discovered online ahead of schedule, has now been officially launched by Facebook. The company responded to the early exposure by making the application available for download without further postponement.

Connectivity and Functionality

Currently, Facebook Messenger for Windows is compatible with Windows 7. It provides a means to remain connected to Facebook conversations, updates, and the news feed, all without requiring an active web browser.

Initial setup requires logging into Facebook through a browser. Users must also grant permission for Facebook to maintain their logged-in status.

Maintaining this persistent login is crucial for receiving desktop notifications. Logging out necessitates doing so directly within the application itself.

Current Capabilities and Initial Issues

At present, the Windows application essentially mirrors the functionality of the Facebook news ticker and chat sidebar. The key benefit is the ability to access these features independently of a web browser.

The premature release suggests Facebook wasn't entirely prepared for public distribution. Initial testing revealed functionality issues.

Specifically, the login process proved problematic. While the login button redirected to facebook.com, it didn't consistently result in a successful application login. This issue may not be universal, as reports indicate the app functions correctly on some systems.