Facebook has decided to shut down its stand alone Messenger client for Windows desktop users. People who still use the app got a message from within the client on Wednesday, informing them that the company "can no longer support Facebook Messenger for Windows" and that it will stop working on Monday, March 3rd.
Facebook first launched its Messenger app in March 2012 as a way for Windows desktop users to chat with their friends without having to go to the Facebook.com website. In November, we reported that the download link for the Messenger app had been removed but we were informed by Facebook a few days later that was just a "glitch". It appears that "glitch" has now become permanent.
The company still offers Facebook Messenger apps for iOS and Android and a few days ago Microsoft announced plans to release a port for Windows Phone sometime in the very near future. However, it appears that Windows users will have to go to the Facebook.com website to chat with their friends from now on. We have contacted the company to see if they have any plans to offer a Modern UI-based Windows 8.1 Messenger client.
Update: A spokesperson for Facebook has gotten back in touch with us, saying that the decision to shut down the Messenger client for Windows was due to the fact that the company is "focused on building the best mobile messaging experience". The spokesperson also had "nothing to share at this time" on any plans for a Windows 8.1 Facebook Messenger app.
Thanks to Neowin reader Shaun Clarke for the tip!
Image via Shaun Clarke