It is not a complete surprise for Microsoft users that their Windows Live Messenger accounts are to be switched to Skype. However, until today it was not known when exactly would Messenger be turned off. It has been announced that it is happening on the 15 of March.

Last November Microsoft mentioned that they are going to abandon the idea of Windows Live Messenger but as the Redmonders don't want to leave their users alone their accounts have been moved to Skype. Due to enormous popularity of WLM in China, Chinese users will have an access to the IM messenger without any changes.

Let's remind ourselves that Microsoft agreed to pay 8.5 billion dollars for Skype in May 2011. Though the application has become one of the horses in the stables of Microsoft, its former CEO, Tony Bates, is still in charge of it.