Why am I being forced to upgrade to MSN 6.2?

[Chris]

But the problem is MSN 6.2 is having more bugs in the
program. For example, I always encounter connection
problem that i never seen in 6.1.

>-----Original Message-----
>Microsoft's Reason For Forcing The Upgrade Is Because
>What The Primary Upgrade In The Update Is Security
>Holes. 6.2 Fixes Known Security Holes That 6.1 Had.
>But Since I Work For MSN We Also Have Another "Idea" On
>Why It's A FORCED Upgrade, Because Microsoft Is A Control
>Freak
>
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>Can anyone tell me why am i being forced to upgrade to
>>MSN 6.2 in order to logon to the msn messenger? I really
>>hate to be forced to do something that I am not willing
>>to. So can anyone explain what's the reason that I must
>>upgrade to 6.2?
>>
>>Thank you very much
>>.
>>
>.
>

[Cookie]

Chris wrote:
> But the problem is MSN 6.2 is having more bugs in the
> program. For example, I always encounter connection
> problem that i never seen in 6.1.

For your particular case it was your build number of 6.1 that enabled MS
to force an update...

You most likely had MSN Messenger 6.1.0207. This build has a major
security hole in it, and whenever MS "discoveres" major security holes
in particular builds it will force-update those clients (for your own
safety) to the latest version (6.2.0137 currently)...

If you had 6.1.211, then MS wouldn't force-update you, because the major
security leak doesn't exist in that build...

So, if you have serious trouble with 6.2 then downgrade to 6.1.211. But
make absolutely sure you download/install build 0211! BTW, downgrading
isn't officialy recommended I suppose, because with each update bugs are
being fixed.....

BTW, many people encountered connecting problems when they
(force-)updated to 6.2. This is because of a new bug in 6.2.
The trick that worked in most cases was to first uninstall 6.1, then to
delete the MSN Messenger application directory(*), and then to download
and install 6.2 from scratch...


(*) the MSN Messenger application directory is:
for XP, Win2k, NT:
\Documents and Settings\<windows accountname>\Application
Data\Microsoft\MSN Messenger

for 9x (with profiles):
\WINDOWS\Profiles\<windows accountname>\Application Data\Microsoft\MSN
Messenger

for 9x (without profiles):
\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\MSN Messenger

By deleting the directory you will loose all your custom emoticons and
display pictures!


CookieRevised

[Cookie]

Chris, I forgot to tell you also this: for connection problems after
you've updated to a new version, try these first:

*4* If you use a firewall (like ZoneAlarm, Norton Internet Security
etc.), it's possible that Messenger doesn't have the correct rights to
access the Internet, especially since you upgraded. You may need to
re/add Messenger to the allowed list of programs in your firewall if
this is the case.

*5* If you disabled your firewall in the past, it still may be blocking
Messenger -- try restarting it and see if that helps the situation. You
also might try uninstalling an installed firewall, to verify that it
isn't causing a problem (even if it is disabled).

=quoted from From Jonathan Kay (Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN
Messenger)