Open main menu
Home
Random
Recent changes
Special pages
Community portal
Preferences
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Incubator escapee wiki
Search
User menu
Talk
Dark mode
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Editing
MSN
(section)
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
== History == === Microsoft Internet Start === [[File:MSN.com screenshot August 24, 1995.jpg|thumb|MSN.com on its initial launch day, August 24, 1995]] [[File:Msncom-1996.png|thumb|MSN.com in October 1996, with the logo used from 1995 to 1998]] From 1995 to 1998, the MSN.com domain was used by Microsoft primarily to promote MSN as an online service and Internet service provider. At the time, MSN.com also offered a custom start page and an Internet tutorial, but Microsoft's major [[web portal]] was known as "Microsoft Internet Start", and was located at [https://web.archive.org/web/19980127131339/http://home.microsoft.com/ home.microsoft.com]. Internet Start served as the default [[home page]] for Internet Explorer and offered basic information such as news, weather, sports, stocks, entertainment reports, links to other websites on the Internet, articles by Microsoft staff members, and software updates for Windows. Microsoft's [https://msnbc.com original news website] (now [[NBCNews.com]]) which launched in 1996, was also tied closely to the Internet Start portal. === MSN.com === In 1998, the largely underutilized "MSN.com" [[domain name]] was combined with Microsoft Internet Start and reinvented as both a [[web portal]] and as the brand for a family of sites produced inside Microsoft's Interactive Media Group. The new website put MSN in direct competition with sites such as [[Yahoo!]], [[Excite (web portal)|Excite]], and [[Go Network]]. Because the new format opened up MSN's content to the world for free, the Internet service provider and subscription service were renamed to MSN Internet Access at that time. (That service eventually became known as MSN Dial-up.)<ref name="msn96ecom" /> The relaunched MSN.com contained a whole family of sites, including original content, channels that were carried over from 'web shows' that were part of Microsoft's [[MSN Dial-up#MSN 2.0|MSN 2.0]] experiment with [[MSN Dial-up|its Internet service provider]] in 1996β97, and new features that were rapidly added. MSN.com became the successor to the default Internet Explorer start page, as all of the previous "Microsoft Internet Start" website was merged with MSN.com.<ref name="msn96ecom" /> Some of the original websites that Microsoft launched during that era remain active in some form today. Microsoft Investor, a [[Business journalism|business news]] and [[investments]] service that was once produced in conjunction with [[CNBC]], is now MSN Money;<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cnbc-on-msn-moneys-stockscouter-celebrates-two-year-track-record-of-outperforming-standard--poors-500-70756152.html |publisher=[[PR Newswire]] |title=CNBC on MSN Money's StockScouter Celebrates Two-Year Track Record Of Outperforming Standard & Poor's 500 |date=July 8, 2003 |access-date=October 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220123414/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cnbc-on-msn-moneys-stockscouter-celebrates-two-year-track-record-of-outperforming-standard--poors-500-70756152.html |archive-date=December 20, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/msn-money-same-microsoft-money-20698.html |publisher=[[AZ Central]] |title=Is MSN Money the Same as Microsoft Money? |date=December 5, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://money.msn.com/investing/an-epic-bear-market-is-coming/ |publisher=[[MSN Money]] |title=Savings and investing β MSN Money |date=October 14, 2014 |access-date=October 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913104243/http://money.msn.com/investing/an-epic-bear-market-is-coming/ |archive-date=September 13, 2014 }}</ref> CarPoint, an [[automobile]] comparison and shopping service, is now MSN Autos; and the Internet Gaming Zone, a website offering online [[casual games]], is now [[MSN Games]]. Other websites since divested by Microsoft include the travel website [[Expedia]], the online magazine [[Slate (magazine)|Slate]], and the local event and city search website [[Sidewalk.com]]. In the late 1990s, Microsoft collaborated with many other service providers, as well as other Microsoft departments, to expand the range of MSN's services. Some examples include [[Bing Ads|MSN adCenter]], [[MSN Shopping]] (affiliated with [[eBay]], [[PriceGrabber]] and [[Shopping.com]]), and the [[Encarta]] encyclopedia with various levels of access to information. Since then, MSN.com has remained a popular destination, launching many new services and content sites. MSN's [[Hotmail]] and [[Microsoft Messenger service|Messenger]] services were promoted from the MSN.com portal, which provided a central place for all of MSN's content. [[MSN Search]] (now Bing), a dedicated [[Web search engine|search engine]], launched in 1999. The single sign-in service for Microsoft's online services, [[Microsoft account|Microsoft Passport]] (now [[Microsoft account]]), also launched across all MSN services in 1999. The MSN.com portal and related group of services under the "MSN" umbrella remained largely the same in the early 2000s. The sports section of the MSN portal was [[ESPN.com]] from 2001 to 2004, and [[FoxSports.com]] from 2004 to 2014.<ref>[http://www.ciol.com/ciol/news/112941/espncom-msn-tie-online-sports-coverage ESPN.com, MSN tie up for online sports coverage] β CIOL, September 8, 2001</ref><ref>[http://news.cnet.com/Game-on-for-MSN,-FoxSports-site/2100-1026-5250774.html Game on for MSN, Fox Sports site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307155040/http://www.cnet.com/game-on-for-msn,-foxsports-site/2100-1026-5250774.html |date=March 7, 2016 }} β CNET, June 28, 2004</ref> MSN had an exclusive partnership with [[MSNBC.com]] for news content from 1996 until 2012, when Microsoft sold its remaining stake in msnbc.com to [[NBCUniversal]] and the website was renamed [[NBCNews.com]]. Since then, MSN has launched "MSN News", an in-house news operation.<ref name="msnbcnbc">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/16/business/media/msnbccom-renamed-nbcnewscom-as-microsoft-and-nbc-divorce.html?_r=0 |title=Microsoft and NBC Complete Web Divorce |access-date=July 21, 2014 | work=[[New York Times]] |date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> As of May 2005, MSN.com was the second most visited portal website in the United States with a share of 23.2 percent, behind [[Yahoo!]] which held a majority.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 27, 2005|title=Hitwise Search Engine Ratings: May 2005|url=https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2005/06/27/hitwise-search-engine-ratings-may-2005/|access-date=March 26, 2021|website=Search Engine Watch|language=en-US}}</ref> MSN released a preview of an updated home page and logo on November 3, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/preview.aspx?vv=700 |title=Hotmail, Messenger, nieuws en entertainment vind je op MSN.nl |publisher=Msn.com |date=December 31, 1999 |access-date=May 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107091327/http://www.msn.com/preview.aspx?vv=700 |archive-date=November 7, 2009 }}</ref> It was originally expected to be widely available to over 100 million U.S. customers by early 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2009/nov09/11-03MSNPreview.mspx |title=Microsoft Announces New Logo and Site Design |publisher=Microsoft.com |date=November 3, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/11/04/msn-unveils-new-look-home-page |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906022037/http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/11/04/msn-unveils-new-look-home-page |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |title=MSN.com Preview |publisher=Neowin.net |access-date=May 1, 2012 }}</ref> MSN rolled out the newer logo, together with a redesign of the overall website, on December 25, 2009.<ref name="msnnewlogo">{{cite web | url=http://www.istartedsomething.com/20091028/say-hello-new-msn-butterfly-logo/ | title=Say hello to the new MSN butterfly | date=October 27, 2009 | access-date=October 31, 2009}}</ref><ref name="redesign">{{Cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2355286,00.asp |title=PCMag.com: Microsoft Integrates Twitter Into MSN Redesign |access-date=November 5, 2009 | work=PC Magazine |first=Michael |last=Muchmore |date=November 4, 2009}}</ref> In 2012, MSN announced on its blog that it would be unveiling a new version of the MSN.com [[home page]] on October 26, exclusively for [[Windows 8]], saying that the new version would be "clean, simple, and built for touch".<ref>{{cite web|last=MSN Team|title=The All New MSN for Windows 8|url=http://msnblog.msn.com/blogpost.aspx?post=64eb3e22-271b-4424-a5ce-475435a93d56|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003234009/http://msnblog.msn.com/blogpost.aspx?post=64eb3e22-271b-4424-a5ce-475435a93d56|archive-date=October 3, 2012|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=March 26, 2014}}</ref> Microsoft said it would be more app-like due to the speed of [[Internet Explorer 10]]. More new features included "Flip Ahead", which allowed users to swipe from one article to the next. MSN for Windows 8 also had new deals with the [[Associated Press|AP]] and [[Reuters]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Albanesius|first=Chloe|title=Microsoft Overhauls MSN for Windows 8, IE10|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410420,00.asp|publisher=PC Magazine|access-date=March 26, 2014}}</ref> === Rebranding of services === {{Main|Windows Live}} Many of [[List of services by MSN|MSN's services]] were reorganized in 2005 and 2006 under a new brand name that Microsoft championed at the time, Windows Live. This move was part of Microsoft's strategy to improve its online offerings using the [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] brand name. The company also overhauled its online [[software]] and services due to increasing competition from rivals such as Yahoo! and [[Google]]. The new name was introduced one service at a time. The group of Windows Live services used [[Web 2.0]] technology to offer features and functionality through a web browser that were traditionally only available through dedicated software programs. Some of the MSN services affected by the rebranding included [[MSN Hotmail]], which became [[Windows Live Hotmail]] (now [[Outlook.com]]); [[MSN Messenger]], which became [[Windows Live Messenger]] (later integrated into [[Skype]]); [[MSN Search]], which became [[Live Search]] (now known as Bing); [[MSN Virtual Earth]], which became [[Live Search Maps]] (now [[Bing Maps]]); [[MSN Spaces]], which became [[Windows Live Spaces]]; [[MSN Alerts]], which became [[Windows Live Alerts]]; and [[MSN Groups]], which became [[Windows Live Groups]]. Some other services, such as [[MSN Direct]], remained a part of the MSN family without transitioning to Windows Live. Following the launch of Windows Live, the MSN brand took on a different focus. MSN became primarily an online content provider of news, entertainment, and common interest topics through its web portal, MSN.com, while Windows Live provided most of Microsoft's online software and services. In 2012, Microsoft began to phase out the Windows Live brand, referring to each service separately by its individual brand name without any "Windows" prefix or association.<ref name="windowslivedone">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/02/cloud-services-for-windows-8-and-windows-phone-windows-live-reimagined.aspx |title=Cloud services for Windows 8 and Windows Phone: Windows Live, reimagined |publisher=[[MSDN]] |date=May 2, 2012 |access-date=July 21, 2014}}</ref> === Subsequent redesign === Microsoft launched a completely rewritten and redesigned MSN website, making use of the company's [[Metro (design language)|modern design language]], on September 30, 2014.<ref name="msn2014relaunch" /> The new MSN portal features a new version of the logo that follows a style similar to other current Microsoft products. The website no longer offers original content, instead of employing editors to repurpose existing content from partners at popular and trusted organizations. Much of the existing content on MSN was eliminated as the website was simplified into a new [[home page]] and categories, some of which have [[#Apps|corresponding apps]]:<ref>{{cite news|last=Whitney|first=Lance|title=Microsoft unveils MSN makeover, rebranded apps|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-unveils-msn-makeover-rebranded-apps/|newspaper=CNET|date=September 30, 2014}}</ref> * '''News''': The latest news headlines and articles from a variety of hand-picked sources. Synced with the [[#News|News]] app. * '''Weather''': Current weather conditions, forecasts, maps, news, and traffic. Synced with the [[#Weather|Weather]] app. * '''Entertainment''': TV, movies, music, and celebrity news, as well as theater showtimes, tickets, and TV listings. Based on the former [[Bing (search engine)#Search products|Bing Entertainment]] service. Also includes the [[MSN Games]] website for online casual games. * '''Sports''': Up-to-the-minute scores, standings, and headlines from leagues worldwide. Synced with the [[#Sports|Sports]] app. * '''Money''': Stock market tickers and watchlists, personal finance, real estate, investments, currency converter, and more. Synced with the [[#Money|Money]] app. * '''Lifestyle''': Headlines, features, and other content related to style, home & garden, family, smart living, relationships, and horoscopes. * '''Health & Fitness''': Tools and information about weight loss, strength, exercise, nutrition, medicine, and more. * '''Food & Drink''': Recipes, cooking tips, news from chefs, cocktails, and shopping lists. * '''Travel''': Destinations, trip ideas, hotel search, flight search, flight status, and arrivals and departures. Previously based on [[#Travel|Farecast]]. * '''Autos''': Research and buying advice, auto-related news, information for enthusiasts, and coverage of auto shows worldwide.<ref name=OPPOSITELOCK>{{cite news|last=M.|first=Atlas|title=MSN Autos is back! (sort of)|url=http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/msn-autos-is-back-sort-of-1654793876|newspaper=Opposite Lock|date=May 11, 2014|access-date=April 11, 2015|archive-date=February 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216152116/http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/msn-autos-is-back-sort-of-1654793876}}</ref> * '''Video''': Trending and viral videos, comedy and pop culture, and videos from other MSN categories. Integrates with video search from [[Bing Videos]]. The top of the home page provides access to Microsoft services [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]], [[Outlook.com]], [[Skype]], [[Office Online]], [[OneNote]], [[OneDrive]], [[Bing Maps]], and [[Groove Music]], as well as popular [[social media]] services [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]].<ref name="msn2014relaunch" /> Signing into MSN with a [[Microsoft account]] allows for personalized content to appear and to be synchronized across devices on the website and in the [[#Current suite of apps|corresponding apps]]. The redesign of the website led to the closure of MSN's longtime personalized home page service "My MSN", which was made up of customized [[RSS feeds]], as the new website no longer supports user-specified RSS content. However, it added some customizability, allowing each category on the home page to be reordered or hidden. With the 2014 relaunch, MSN now supports [[Responsive web design|responsive design]] and eliminates the need for a separate [[mobile website]]. The redesign of MSN proved positive and helped increase traffic with an additional 10 million daily visitors after two months.<ref name=WindowsOnBeta>{{cite news|last=Finney|first=Joseph|title=How has Microsoft's redesign of MSN.com affected daily site traffic?|url=http://www.winbeta.org/news/how-has-microsofts-redesign-msncom-affected-daily-site-traffic|newspaper=WinBeta|date=November 19, 2014}}</ref> In 2022, Microsoft began phasing out MSN for Microsoft Start, with news pages being moved to Start, and ads for the website appearing on the homepage. This was reversed in November 2024, with the Microsoft Start page redirecting back to MSN.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |date=2024-11-11 |title=Microsoft Start comes to an end as it reverts back to its MSN roots |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/microsoft-start-end-reverts-msn/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=XDA |language=en}}</ref> Microsoft brought back the MSN app in November 2024.
Edit summary
(Briefly describe your changes)
By publishing changes, you agree to the
Terms of Use
, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the
CC BY-SA 4.0 License
and the
GFDL
. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)