Need something faster than e-mail? Want something quieter than the phone? Windows Live Messenger is the solution you're looking for. See when your contacts are online and chat for as long as you want or as short as you need.
Go to the Windows Live Messenger website, click Download, and then follow the instructions to get the latest version of Messenger.
When the download finishes, the installer for Windows Live opens.
In the installer, review the service agreement, and then choose any additional features or services that you want to install with Messenger.
Once the installation is done, you'll find your new programs in the Windows Live folder on your Windows Start menu.
To use Messenger, you need a Windows Live ID. If you have a Hotmail or MSN e-mail address, you already have a Windows Live ID.
Enter your Windows Live ID.
Enter your password.
Click Sign in.
If you need a Windows Live ID, open Messenger, and then click Sign up near the top of the window.
To start an instant message conversation, you need to have at least one contact.
Click the Add a contact or group button, and then click Add a contact.
In the Instant messaging address box, enter your contact's e-mail address.
Fill in any additional information that you want, and then click Next.
Enter a message to the person (this is optional), and then click Send invitation.
Your contact receives a notification in Messenger that you've added them as a contact and a request to add you to their contact list.
After your contact has added you to their contact list, and they're available to chat, you'll see their status change from "Offline" to "Available."
Double-click a contact's name to open a conversation window with that person.
In the conversation window, type your message and then press Enter.
To send an emoticon in a message, click the Select an emoticon button, and then choose one from the list.
To send a file or picture, drag the file or picture to the area where you type your messages. Depending on the file type, Messenger might prompt you to scan the file for viruses before you can send it.
The maximum number of characters you can send in an instant message is 400.
You can customize Messenger to show your status, express your mood or personality, and let your contacts see what you're listening to.
To change your:
Display picture. Click your display picture, and then select a picture from the list or browse to find the picture you want to use. You can quickly change your display picture by dragging a new one onto your current display picture.
Display name. Click your name, click Change display name, and then type the name you want to use.
Status. Click your name and then choose a status from the menu.
Personal message. To add a personal message, click Share a quick message and then type your message.
Song information. To show the song title and artist's name when you're listening to music in your Windows Media Player or Zune player, click the arrow next to your personal message and then click Show what I'm listening to.
Conversation window. To change the background and color your contacts see in their conversation window when you chat with them, point to the upper right-hand corner of the main Messenger window, and then click the Change your scene option that appears. You can quickly change your scene by dragging a picture onto the top of the main Messenger window.
Depending on how you prefer to use Messenger, you can leave the Messenger window open, close it but leave Messenger running (so it's out of your way), or close it and sign out.
To close the Messenger window but keep Messenger running, click the close (X) button in the upper-right corner of the window.
To exit Messenger, click your name, and then click Sign out from here. You can also exit Messenger after you have closed it, right-click the Messenger icon in the taskbar, and then click Sign out in the shortcut menu.
