Let’s be real for a second: the 90s and early 2000s were PC’s golden age—the time of chunky beige boxes, dial-up connections, and some of the most iconic software ever to grace Windows. Among those masterpieces were Windows Movie Maker and MSN Messenger, two tools that provided a generation of casual creatives and chat aficionados with unforgettable experiences. The recent article from Pocket-lint takes us on a nostalgia trip, passionately pleading for Microsoft to resurrect these classics for Windows 11.
But are these apps worth bringing back? Let’s dive deep into why Movie Maker and MSN Messenger deserve a renaissance, how they compare to Microsoft’s modern replacements (Clipchamp and Teams), and the possible impact of such revivals on the Windows ecosystem.
When Microsoft dropped Windows Movie Maker with Windows Me back in 2000, it was like giving every household the tools to make their first-ever home movie. Those default transition effects (yes, I’m looking at you, faded slides and star wipes) are etched into the memory of countless Millennials and Zoomers. It wasn’t a tool for pros—it was for the rest of us who wanted to awkwardly splice clips from our summer vacation or whip up amateur school projects with gloriously cheesy soundtracks.
Sadly, Movie Maker’s swan song came in 2017, when Microsoft pulled the plug and shifted its video editing focus to the Photos app and, eventually, Clipchamp. The response? A collective “meh.” While Clipchamp technically gets the job done, it introduces a far more convoluted editing experience compared to the simplicity of its predecessor.
Let’s be real: Skype was never a full replacement. And neither was Microsoft Teams, a tool oozing with “corporate energy” rather than a consumer-friendly vibe.
Let’s face facts:
Here’s why Microsoft should do the same for Movie Maker and MSN Messenger:
What do you think? Should Microsoft dust off these classics and bring them into the modern Windows experience? Or are we better off cherishing these jewels as fond memories of a bygone era? Share your thoughts in the comments below—you never know who’s listening!
Source: Pocket-lint I need these totally 90s apps back on my PC immediately
But are these apps worth bringing back? Let’s dive deep into why Movie Maker and MSN Messenger deserve a renaissance, how they compare to Microsoft’s modern replacements (Clipchamp and Teams), and the possible impact of such revivals on the Windows ecosystem.
Windows Movie Maker: Putting Casual Video Editing on the Map
When Microsoft dropped Windows Movie Maker with Windows Me back in 2000, it was like giving every household the tools to make their first-ever home movie. Those default transition effects (yes, I’m looking at you, faded slides and star wipes) are etched into the memory of countless Millennials and Zoomers. It wasn’t a tool for pros—it was for the rest of us who wanted to awkwardly splice clips from our summer vacation or whip up amateur school projects with gloriously cheesy soundtracks.Sadly, Movie Maker’s swan song came in 2017, when Microsoft pulled the plug and shifted its video editing focus to the Photos app and, eventually, Clipchamp. The response? A collective “meh.” While Clipchamp technically gets the job done, it introduces a far more convoluted editing experience compared to the simplicity of its predecessor.
What Made Movie Maker So Special?
- Ease of Use: Movie Maker was intuitive even for elementary school kids. Drag, drop, and edit—it was that simple.
- Offline Functionality: Unlike today’s web-based Clipchamp, Movie Maker worked seamlessly without an internet connection. No waiting, no buffering.
- It Was Free: That’s not a trivial point. No hidden paywalls or “4K export” fees—it was a freebie baked into Windows.
MSN Messenger: The Granddaddy of Online Chat
Can we take a moment to appreciate just how awesome MSN Messenger was in the early 2000s? While AOL’s AIM reigned supreme in the U.S., MSN was the favorite go-to chat app for many, bringing witty status updates, quirky emojis, and the infamous “nudge” (because what’s friendship without mildly annoying someone by shaking their on-screen window?). Later rebranded as Windows Live Messenger, it still retained its charm until Microsoft unceremoniously axed it in favor of Skype in 2013.Let’s be real: Skype was never a full replacement. And neither was Microsoft Teams, a tool oozing with “corporate energy” rather than a consumer-friendly vibe.
What Made MSN Messenger So Legendary?
- Simplicity: MSN’s no-nonsense UI made it perfect for casual conversations.
- Winks & Nudges: The ultimate icebreakers (or, alternatively, the quickest way to get blocked).
- Shared Music Status: Nothing screamed 2004 like showing your crush you were listening to Fall Out Boy.
Everyday Nostalgia vs. Modern Clunkiness
Pocket-lint hits the nail on the head when it points out just how much Clipchamp and Teams fail to capture the essence of their predecessors. Sure, they work. Yes, they’re modern. But they lack the heart, simplicity, and nostalgia-driven “cool factor” that Movie Maker and MSN Messenger carried with ease.Let’s face facts:
- Clipchamp is painfully slow due to its web-based infrastructure—perfect if you love buffering.
- Teams feels bloated for everyday conversations. Its aggressive push toward work and collaboration doesn’t leave room for quirky consumer appeal.
- None of these replacements evoke fond memories—it’s just watered-down corporate replacements grouped under the growing “Microsoft 365” umbrella.
A Case for Revival: If Not Now, When?
In recent years, Microsoft showed a surprising tendency to re-embrace its legacy software. Take MS Paint—long seen as archaic and on its way to the trash heap, the app received major updates aligned to Windows 11’s design ethos, even gaining cool new abilities. The same goes for Notepad, which embraced tabs (finally!) and became more functional while keeping its minimalist charm.Here’s why Microsoft should do the same for Movie Maker and MSN Messenger:
- Cultural Relevance: Retro tech is cool again, and younger generations are diving into tech that defined the late 90s and 2000s.
- Nostalgia-driven Marketing: Revamped versions of both apps could act as a bait for Millennials and Gen Z users seeking that retro flavor.
- First-Party Superiority: Instead of ceding space to third-party solutions (like Adobe Premiere Rush for video editing or Discord for chats), Microsoft stands to gain by owning both categories.
What Could a Modern Reboot Look Like?
If Microsoft ever decides to bring these apps back, here’s what we’d love to see:- Windows Movie Maker:
- A native, lightweight, offline-first tool optimized for creators with beginner to intermediate-level needs.
- Features akin to recent Creator Tools in Adobe Express—basic animations, audio tracks, and export presets for social platforms.
- Modern touches like AI recommendations (e.g., scene transitions suggest color grading).
- MSN Messenger:
- Consumer-friendly re-release under “Windows Messenger” branding, not as a feature crammed into Teams.
- Fully modernized emojis, optional GIF support, voice integration, and seamless mobile synchronization.
- Bonus feature: bring back Winks and Nudges for extra nostalgia (and maybe even those classic sound effects).
Final Thoughts: Bring the 90s Back (for Real)
If Paint and Notepad earned revitalizations in the Windows 11 ecosystem, it’s not hard to argue that Windows Movie Maker and MSN Messenger are more than deserving of their second chances. These apps weren’t just programs—they were milestones in digital interaction and creativity for an entire generation. Microsoft has stumbled with its Clipchamp and Teams replacements, failing to capture the magic of its originals. Isn’t it time to fix that?What do you think? Should Microsoft dust off these classics and bring them into the modern Windows experience? Or are we better off cherishing these jewels as fond memories of a bygone era? Share your thoughts in the comments below—you never know who’s listening!
Source: Pocket-lint I need these totally 90s apps back on my PC immediately
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