Microsoft Kills ‘Messaging Everywhere’ Feature Ahead of Windows 10 Anniversary Update

Microsoft is expected to roll out the Windows 10 Anniversary update on August 2. However, it has been releasing preview versions regularly, hinting at all the new features the update will entail. One of the most anticipated features came with the April preview build – a feature called Messaging Everywhere. It enabled Windows 10 users to send and receive cellular text messages on their PCs. It aimed to work in a similar manner as Apple’s iMessage cross-platform integration. However, Microsoft has just listed all the things coming with its latest preview build, and looks like this feature is being put to rest.

The company is going to kill this feature and not introduce it with the Windows 10 Anniversary update, and has instead decided to bring back the Skype app integration (this was previously killed off in favour of the universal messaging app). Microsoft has been working on this universal Skype app that will work in sync on all platforms – be it desktop, tablet or mobile. On the blog, the company says that it expects to deliver an experience that is ‘even better’ through the new Skype app.

“The ‘Messaging Everywhere’ feature was well-received by Insiders however we believe we can deliver an even better experience through the Skype app. Because of this, we decided not to release this feature as part of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update this summer. Starting with Build 14376 and going forward, Insiders will no longer have the ability to reply to text messages from their phone via the Messaging app on their PCs. Going forward, we will be working with the Skype Team on delivering a great “messaging everywhere” experience on your Windows 10 devices through the Skype app,” Microsoft explained on its blog.

For all those using the beta version, the latest update will remove the ability to send and receive text messages through the Messaging Everywhere feature. However, users can still reply to text using Cortana on their PCs. The new build is said to roll out for Insider members soon. The entire changelog is detailed on Microsoft’s blog post.

When the final update rolls out, it will be free for Windows 10 users, but will cost $119 (roughly Rs. 8,000) to those who will upgrade from previous versions of Windows.