How To Use Windows Messenger
Windows Messenger is an Instant Messaging tool that is incorporated within the Windows XP operating system. By default, Windows XP is shipped with Windows Messenger 4.7. You can look for updates and download the latest Windows Messenger version, at the following Microsoft Web site:
Using Windows Messenger, you can:
- Send and receive instant messages.
- Make a call to your contact’s computer.
- Send and receive files.
- View online contacts.
- Play online games with your friends.
- Have instant message conferences with a group of friends.
- Receive new e-mail notifications from your Hotmail account.
Let us now have a look at the methods you need to use and steps you need to perform to use some of the basic Windows Messenger features.
Get a Microsoft Passport
In order to use Windows Messenger, you first need a Microsoft Passport. Follow the steps given below, to create a new Microsoft Passport and perform various tasks in Windows Messenger:
- Open the Start menu, point to All Programs, and then select the Windows Messenger command.
- Select the Click here to sign in link.
- When prompted for your Microsoft Passport name and password, select Get a .NET Passport.
- Now, follow the steps in the .NET Passport Wizard to create a new Microsoft Passport.
Note : If you already have an existing Hotmail account, you can use it to log on to your Windows Messenger.
- After, the Microsoft Passport is created, open Windows Messenger either by double-clicking its icon on the System Tray or by selecting the Windows Messenger command from the All Programs menu in Start menu.
When Windows Messenger opens, you will see your user name (MyName@hotmail.com) displayed in it.
- To sign in with the displayed username select the Click here to sign in link.
Send an Instant Message
- Click on the Windows Messenger icon in the system tray, and then select the Send an Instant Message command.
- In the Send and Instant Message dialog box, select the contact you want to send your message to and then select the OK button.
- In the ContactName - Conversation window that is displayed, type your message in the text box, and then click Send or press the Enter key.
More Information: Conversation Window
- You can check the status bar, located below the textbox, to see if your contact is typing a message and the date and time of when the last message was sent.
- If you want to add a new paragraph in your message, press the Shift key and then press the Enter key.
- You can send Emoticons in your message by clicking on the Emoticons button and then click on one or more emoticons to include in your message.
- To disable Emoticons, clear Enable Emoticons in the View menu.
Add a New Contact
- To add a new contact, in the Windows Messenger window, select Add a Contact.
- In the Add a Contact wizard that opens:
- If you know the e-mail address or sign-in name of the contact you want to add, select the By e-mail address or sign-in name option and select the Next button. Next, type your contact's e-mail address, and then if you want to, specify the group you want the new contact to be included. Finally, select the Finish button to complete the process.
- If you don’t know the ID of the contact you want to add, select the Search for a contact option, select Next, select the directory in which you want to search, select Next, and then:
- If you find the contact you were looking for and this contact has a Microsoft Passport, select the name and click Next, to add the contact to your contact list.
- If the contact does not have a Microsoft Passport, choose to send an invitation e-mail to your contact
Things to Remember
- You cannot use wildcard characters or asterisks (*) to search for contacts.
- Your contact list can comprise 150 contacts that may or may not be in your address book.
Send a File
- Select a contact for your contact list and then perform one of the following tasks:
- Right-click the contact name and then select the Send a File or Photo command.
- Open File menu, and then select the Send a File or Photo command.
- In the Send a File dialog box that is displayed, navigate to and select the file or photo you want to send, and then select the Open button.
Doing this sends a request to transfer the file to your contact, and the file is transferred when the recipient accepts your request.
Note: You may not be able to transfer files using messenger if you are behind a firewall and the service is blocked.
Change your Status
You can use one of the following methods to change your status:
- Click on Windows Messenger icon in System Tray, point to My Status , and then select the option that describes your current status.
- Click your name in the Windows Messenger to display the status options and then select the option that describes your current status.
- Open the File menu, point to My Status, and then selet the option that describes your current status.
Read E-mail Messages
Use one of the two methods given below to check your e-mails:
- Click option that informs you about the number of messages in your Hotmail inbox.
- On the File menu, select the My E-mail Inbox command.
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