Facebook Messenger for Windows
Facebook Messenger for Windows was a standalone desktop application that brought Facebook's messaging service to your Windows taskbar. It ran independently from the browser, delivering notifications, text messages, voice calls, and video calls through a dedicated window.
What it did
The app synced with your Facebook account and displayed your conversations in a desktop window. You could send text messages, share photos and files, make voice and video calls, and participate in group chats without keeping a browser tab open. Desktop notifications appeared even when the app was minimized to the system tray.
Dark mode, message reactions, and conversation themes matched the mobile app features. The desktop version was useful for people who spent their workday on a computer and wanted messaging accessible alongside other applications.
Advantages
- Native desktop notifications without browser
- Voice and video calling from desktop
- Ran independently from the browser
- Free with any Facebook account
Drawbacks
- Discontinued by Meta in December 2025
- Required Facebook account (no standalone use)
- Resource-heavy Electron wrapper
- Messenger.com web app or mobile app are the current options
Who it was for
This was for Facebook users who preferred a dedicated desktop app over keeping a browser tab open. Meta discontinued it in December 2025, directing users to messenger.com in the browser. For desktop messaging, Discord, Telegram Desktop, and WhatsApp Desktop are alternatives with their own user bases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Facebook Messenger for Windows?
Can I still use Messenger on desktop?
What desktop messaging apps are still available?
Features & How-To Guide
| # | Feature | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Send messages 3 | Select a contact or group › Type message in the text field › Enter or click Send. |
| 2 | Video and voice conversations | Open a chat › Click the camera icon (video) or headphone icon (voice) in the top right corner. |
| 3 | Group text conversations | Click the new message icon › Add multiple participants › Create a group. Supports group chats up to 250 people. |
| 4 | Send photos and videos | In the chat click the photo icon (+) › Select files from disk › Send. Supports JPEG/PNG/MP4. |
| 5 | Desktop notification | Preferences › Notifications › Enable desktop notifications. Displays alerts for new messages. |
| 6 | Message reactions | Hover over a message › Click the emoji icon › Choose a reaction (heart/thumbs up/laugh/surprise/sad/angry). |
| 7 | File and document sharing | In the chat click the + icon › File › Select a document from disk › Send. File size limit: 25 MB. |
| 8 | Send voice messages | In the chat click and hold the microphone icon › Record a message › Release to send. |
| 9 | Dark mode | Click avatar › Preferences › Theme › Dark. Changes the interface to dark colors. |
| 10 | Conversation mute | Right-click a chat › Mute › Select duration (15 min/1h/8h/24h/until further notice). Blocks notifications from this chat. |
| 11 | Send GIFs and stickers | In the chat click the GIF icon › Search for an animation › Click to send. Stickers are available next to emojis. |
| 12 | End-to-end encryption | Open a chat › Enable encrypted mode (padlock icon). Messages are encrypted and unreadable to third parties. |
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