Darren Straight's Blog

We already know that MSN Search will eventually be retiring to make way for the all new Windows Live Search, but exactly when is a question some people have been asking for some time now.

Well I myself as of yet don’t have a definitive answer as to when the exact date of transition from MSN Search to Windows Live Search will take place as there’s many MSN and Windows Live products/services like messenger that still use MSN Search.

But I do know that we can expect it very soon as MSN have today sent out a MSN Newsletter in which they state that MSN Search is no more as it is about to be retired to make way for the all new Windows Live Search experience.

So I guess the question now would be how long is soon?

But I guess that brings us back to the question of a date, so would anybody like to come up with some dates of when they think MSN Search will retire and Windows Live Search will be introduced as once and for all!

Here’s an extract of the MSN Newsletter, pay attention to the first and last part of it:

In case you hadn’t heard, MSN Search is no longer, it is about to be retired to make way for the all new Windows Live Search experience. It’s simple, fast and accurate, has great new features you just won’t find with other search engines and best of all, it puts you in control.

Goodbye MSN Search, Hello Windows Live Search!

The beta, or pre-release, testing of Windows Live Search is nearly over so if you’ve used it or sent us feedback we salute you don’t worry no group hugs or anything, just a genuine thanks from the team.

The new Windows Live Search allows for far more customisation, control and accuracy than ever before and is now a lean mean searching machine with many new features such as the ability to determine how much information you want displayed on your query results and the new in-site search.

Create your own homepage

With your new Live.com page you choose between customising your own personal homepage that can include feeds ranging from your Hotmail inbox to feeds you choose from all over the web, or simply choose the super sleek search home page. Even if you do chose to customise your own Live.com page and you fancy a change, you can switch back and forth at the click of a button!

Why not try out some of the great new search tools; an all new local search tool including stunning aerial maps (bet you can’t resist finding your house), a new and very much improved image search (we think it’s the best one available) and don’t forget the brand new Windows Live Toolbar too You can find Windows Live Search at Live.com as well as on MSN. The change over to Windows Live Search begins soon, so be sure to check it out on uk.msn.com or try it out today at Live.com

1. Windows Live Services Reach Key Milestones this September 2006 » Darren Straight’s Blog says:

   September 12, 2006 at 11:39 pm

   [...] Remember how I all told you last week how it would soon be Goodbye MSN Search, Hello Windows Live Search, well Microsoft yesterday announced the release from beta of Windows Live Search and of Live.com in 47 markets worldwide, and final availability of Windows Live Local Search in the U.K. and the U.S. [...]
2. Word Farmers says:

   October 20, 2006 at 9:32 am

   Looks like MSN is has finally entered the digital age. They had been lagging behind for quite awhile in the search technology areas.