Safe AOL

[Epithett]

I remember a day when AOL was AOL, not AOL plus thousands of programs you will never need that bloat up your computer. Which was the last version made without all the bloat programs?

[locustfurnace]

Good question.
Possibly AOL 5.0. One problem with using an older version is that AOL might have shut-out users of these older clients, thus making them unable to connect and therefore useless for users.

The only way to find this out is to try each out yourself.

[OldVersion.com Admin]

Good question.
Possibly AOL 5.0. One problem with using an older version is that AOL might have shut-out users of these older clients, thus making them unable to connect and therefore useless for users.

The only way to find this out is to try each out yourself.

This is purely speculation, but for some reason I don't think they did that. From what I understand, AOL provides people with older versions of their software for people with older computers. I'm not sure if they still support versions as far back as 5.0 though :eek:

[Lisaizme]

I know this is somewhat of an old thread, but I just found it.

AOL somewhat supports version 5.0. I know, I use it at home. Mail & chat still works, but you can't do locates or view member profiles as these are now HTML based.

I'm probably going to move up to 6.0 this summer, very cautiously.

Glad to see I'm not the only one that abhors AOL's handholding.

[speakingsoul]

I haven't used aol in a while and I never used it regularly, but version 5 is the newest one I remember using, actually. what are they on now, anyway?

Besides that, if you're using an old version of AOL as long as you get connected through it, you can just minimize it and use a new browser like Firefox just fine. I don't know if that suggestion will help you at all.

[Ernie_M]

Believe it or not people, I have been using AOL 4.0 since 99'
with no problems. The only thing is that when you install,
you'll experiance six or seven downloads (upgrades).
Then that will stop. If you only want to get on the "Net"
and don't need all the "Bells & Whistles and bloat"....V.4 is
the way to go...Oh...I seem to recall some major problems
with v.5, so bad that they stopped giving it out. I don't
recall what the problems were...but if you come across it,
skip it and go to right to v.6.......

[spunker88]

If you get the 4.3 beta off this site, it comes in a zipped .exe file. Then you know that no crap is in it, becuase you are only unzipping the files and running it. I got the 1.0 version to connect fine. You lose you buddylist though. But if i bring up a new message and tyoe in the sn, it works. This version is very obsolete though.

[The Dude]

A friend of mine uses AOL7 (Which is the 'LAST' good version)

Ill let him know about this thread :)

Peace

[spunker88]

Look at the sudden jump in MB of the AIM installers on the site. The sudden jump usually means added more sypware. It looks like anything below 5.0 is safe. I'd go below 4.8 or 4.7 becuase then you become ad free! :)

Old Versions Available of AOL Instant Messenger

AOL Instant Messenger 1.0 (1.4 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 1.7 (1.6 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 2.0 (1.5 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 2.1 (1.7 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 3.0 (1.9 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 3.5 (1.9 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 4.1 (2.2 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 4.2 (2.3 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 4.3 (2.4 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 4.4 Beta (2.3 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 4.7 (2.6 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 4.8 (2.6 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 5.0.2829 (2.4 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 5.1.3036 (2.5 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 5.2.3277 (3.0 MB) <JUMP!
AOL Instant Messenger 5.2.3281 (3.0 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 5.2.3290 (3.0 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 5.2.3292 (3.0 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 5.5.3572 (3.2 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 5.5.3583 (3.4 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 5.5.3595 (4.0 MB) <JUMP!
AOL Instant Messenger 5.5.3598 (4.0 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 5.5.3599 (4.1 MB)
AOL Instant Messenger 5.9.3861 (8.3 MB) <HUGE JUMP! :eek:

[The Dude]

I agree.........All of the latest AIM programs are garbage.......GAMES,ETC added and they are WAY OVER BLOATED!!!!!!

The best version of aim is 5.5.3598 canadian version!!!!!!

NO GAMES,NO "VIEWPOINT.EXE" Nothing but aim!!!!!!

http://canada.aol.com/aim/aim55