Microsoft has officially announced that it will shut down the Windows Live Messenger in China this coming October.

The 15-year-old instant messaging service popularly known as MSN Messenger was first launched in 1999 as Microsoft's counterpart to the then-popular AOL Instant Messenger. It has IM functionality but expanded with new features like photo messaging, games, much-loved emoji, and video chatting.

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In 2009, Windows Live had as many as 330 million users and was an important part of teenagers' life.

The messenger only came in China in 2005. It experienced a stiff competition from the domestic rival QQ Messenger developed by a tech Chinese firm Tencent.

Microsoft started sending e-mails to Chinese users of Windows Live's imminent shutdown on Thursday according to BBC News citing Chinese newspapers reports. The company told MSN users in China that they need to switch to Skype by October 31.

The company also promised to offer free Skype credits to those who will use Skype after the shutdown of the classic messenger service.

In 2012, Microsoft bought Skype for US$8.5bn causing Windows Live Messenger to lose favor at the business. There has been a steady decline on the number of users as Skype gained popularity, having nearly 300 million users.

With the shutdown of MSN Messenger for good, previous users continue to commemorate the messenger via Twitter.

TagsMSN Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, instant messaging app, App, Tech, Skype