Is MSN back? Discover Escargot, an app that mimics the old chat service

A video posted on TikTok a few days ago evoked the nostalgia of an entire generation. Clip showcases legendary chat software Windows Live Messenger, MSN, working on a modern notebook.

The video, which lasts just over a minute, has already garnered more than 105,000 likes and many nostalgic comments. After all, Microsoft’s program was a real phenomenon even in Brazil and was the main program of online chats for several years.

@annacarolinadavila @Carol | Girl of the 2000s #orkut #nostalgia #nostalgia2000an #anosatrás #anos2000 #vaiprofycaramba #msn #antigamente #2000smusic #annacd @Carol | The girl from the 2000s? original audio – Carol | girl of the 2000s

But after all, how is it possible to use software that was discontinued ten years ago on a modern computer, still with the classic interface of the late 2000s?

The good days of MSN Messenger

HE on MSN MessengerIt was an instant messaging program Released by Microsoft in 1999. It was part of the entire network of services called MSN, which included a portal, online games and other multimedia content.

Initially the program only had a simple contact list and text message sending, but gradually new functions included and replaced competitors such as ICQ.

There wasn’t much instant chat software on the market, and without smartphones, the only way to chat via mobile phone was via SMS text messages, which quickly eats up credits.

Already extremely popular in 2005 MSN Messenger renamed Windows Live Messenger Microsoft’s attempt to merge its brands.

Over time, features such as attention-grabbing, mini-games, status, animations (winks) and voice sending were added to the updates organized by year.

The debut of the new version was successful and this was the golden era of the software. Official data of the brand shows that: More than 330 million users worldwide in 2009.

But in 2013 the end came. Windows Live messenger has been discontinued for Skype to attract Microsoft’s attention. Brazil, which had high access rates until the last moments, became one of the last countries to lose its servers at the end of April.

Is it possible to use MSN today?

It’s actually the program shown in action in the TikTok video Not original MSN. This is Escargot, a project that has been around for a few years.

Snail: Independent, open source software with no official affiliation with Microsoft or original messenger design. The show’s creators are unknown, but it’s a partnership with NINA, a project that recreates other old shows in the industry; ICQ, Yahoo! Messenger and AOL Instant Messaging (AIM).

Project reverse engineeredthat is, breaking down the codes of the original program. Therefore, it manages to replicate old features as faithfully as possible, such as “attention grabbing”, animations, the entire interface and even sound alerts.

Microsoft shut down the original platform’s servers in 2013; which means: You will not have any contacts or message history from the old account. In Escargot, the user creates an account from scratch and can add people who have downloaded the program or chat with strangers on the server.

In addition to being a space for conversation, Escargot “Revive old versions” of the platformThis is a positive situation in terms of software protection. Team so far Already managed to copy almost all versions of MSN and WLMBrazilian Portuguese menus included.

Even that Brought back a version of Messenger Plus!An extra pack that adds support for colors, animations, and other plugins to chats.

Is Escargot the same as MSN?

Escargot is therefore an instant and online chat program. Recreates the old MSN interface with different versionsHowever, it has nothing to do with Microsoft and runs from its own server.

The app is free to use and only requires you to create an account to start chatting. But don’t expect this to be a market phenomenon or anything like that.

There are some bugs in the program and Currently missing many functions required for a messaging app, as a mobile phone application and as encryption in conversations. Although it is a serious project security is less guaranteed than other services of this typeThis means you should be careful when clicking links in chats or setting weak passwords on your account.

HE He doesn’t stand a chance against What’s up, Conflict or Telegramfor example, but that’s not even the point: Escargot can help you miss good old MSN for a few minutes.