Successfully got the old Windows Messenger app to work

As we all know, the newer Edge-based Facebook Messenger app fucking sucks. I tried to copy the folder in \program files\windowsapps to another laptop, but that was a no-go. Then tried installing a .appx file, also a no go. I found I had to uninstall the crappy Edge applet, and the last version I had of decent messenger. Apparently, an older copy, I got from here, works

https://messenger.en.uptodown.com/windows/download/1019598070

Who knows how long this will keep running. It still has a notice to update my app by Dec 20th, which is now three days past, but it works on two different machines.

That said, unless you have sideloading enabled on your Windows install, this probably won't work.