MSN Toolbar

Microsoft's new MSN Toolbar for Internet Explorer is now available. I'm not interested in the toolbar per se, but it is based on Silverlight so I'm curious how it works. That curiosity will have to continue for a while, however, as the MSN Toolbar requires Silverlight 1.0 for some reason, and I've got Silverlight 2.0 Beta installed everywhere because of Live Mesh. Irritating.

The new MSN Toolbar lets you:

  • See highlights of popular MSN channels quickly
  • Stay up to date without leaving the Web page you're on
  • Get late-breaking news headlines at your fingertips
  • Use handy search tools to find exactly what you need

Take MSN with you: MSN Toolbar is always with you when you're online on your PC. See what's going on without leaving the Web page you're on.

Put information at your fingertips: See headlines and features from eight popular MSN channels. Simply click on channel buttons to preview, then choose any link to explore. Stay connected to your friends via easy access to Windows Live Hotmail, Messenger and Spaces.

Find it fast: Use the handy search box to find whatever you're after. Get Live Search results even when you use another search engine, plus make specific MSN channel searches.

Stay up to date: When breaking news happens, the news button gleams so you'll know right away.

Discuss this Article 5

fenra13
on May 21, 2008
Dang, that Silverlight 2.0 incompatibility stinks. I always thought Silverlight 2.0 was backwards compatible, though. I wonder if there's a specific bug in 2.0 that would break the toolbar.
Mizzle51
on May 21, 2008
It will be compatable with Silverlight 2.0 when Beta 2 is released.
Delmont
on May 21, 2008
Hmmm....I was able to install this. I'm running Live Mesh Version: 0.9.2815.12 as well.
fenra13
on May 22, 2008
Yeah, it installed for me, too, but when it runs it says it's not compatible.
Waethorn
on May 22, 2008
Hmm....I would've thought this is another clash of Windows Live and MSN, but clearly they are pushing for that differentiation between content and services. It kind of brings back memories of MSN Explorer (although not in a bad way....and in a much more Vista look). Maybe MSN might be better as a split-off separate online content business.... Agree, Paul?

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