Earlier this week Windows Live Messenger users received a notification in their IM (instant messaging client) asking them to change their e-mail address. The notification originated from the Windows Live Messenger Service Staff and claimed to be an “important service announcement”, but when users (getting past their security concerns ) followed the instructions in the notification, they discovered they could not alter the Windows Live ID.

The notification that some Windows Live Messenger received stated the following: “Windows Live ™ Messenger Service Staff says: Important service announcement: As part of a recent system enhancement, we need you to change your e-mail address to continue signing in to the Windows Live ™ Messenger Service.”

It seems that this was all just a cockup on Microsoft’s part and users did not actually have to change their email address. If you are the kind of user that ignored the message and went on with your life, good for you. If you took it seriously and found it disturbing that you could not change your Windows Live ID, despite the notification stating you should do so, you need now worry.

The Windows Live Team explains: “We sincerely apologize, but this was accidentally sent out. If you received this notification today, please ignore it. You will be able to continue to use your current e-mail address, and there is no reason to make any changes. If you have already clicked the link, there is no harm to you. You should have been told that your “Windows Live ID can’t be changed at this time” because there is no need for the change. These service notifications are only used for urgent issues but unfortunately, somebody made a mistake that caused this message to be sent out. We will definitely be reviewing our process to make sure we avoid such mistakes in the future. Again, we’re very sorry for any confusion that may have been caused.”