Windows Vista: Instant Messaging with Windows Live Messenger

an article added by: Don Jefferson at 06212007


Windows Vista :: Windows Vista: Instant Messaging with Windows Live Messenger ::

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This article shows you how to use Windows Live Messenger, the instant-messaging software designed to be used with Windows Vista. Windows Live Messenger hereafter referred to simply as Messenger provides solid instant-messaging capabilities: You can keep a list of online contacts, see at a glance which of them are online, and communicate instantly with them via text-based chat, voice, and even video if you have the hardware. You can also transfer files to your buddies and receive files from them. Instant messaging IM is a great way to keep in touch with people, because the conversation takes place in real time. If someone is online at the same time you are, you can communicate with them. Messenger notifies you when your contacts come online and notifies your contacts when you go online, so you know who’s available to chat. If the person with whom you want to communicate isn’t online, you can send them an “offline instant message” - a message that they’ll receive the next time they sign in. To use Messenger, you must have a Windows Live ID, the latest version of what used to be called Microsoft .NET Passport. If you have a Hotmail account or MSN account, you already have a Windows Live ID. If not, you can sign up for one in minutes.

Getting and Installing Messenger

Messenger came built into Windows XP, and some other earlier versions of Windows, but it’s not included in standard distributions of Windows Vista. However, your computer’s manufacturer may have included Messenger - so have a look for Messenger on the Start menu before you download it. To download and install Messenger, follow these steps:

1. Choose Start All Programs Windows Live Messenger Download. If that item doesn’t appear on the All Programs menu, open Internet Explorer for example, choose Start Internet and go to http://get.live.com/messenger/overview.

2. Click the link to download Windows Live Messenger. In the File Download – Security Warning dialog box, click the Save button, and then choose the folder in which to save it.

3. When the download is complete, click the Run button in the Download Complete dialog box to start the installation.

4. If Internet Explorer displays a Security Warning dialog box, click the Run button to proceed.

5. Follow through the installation. The key decision comes with the Terms of Use and Privacy Statement screen, where you must decide to accept the terms of service and privacy statement in order to use Messenger. Read the terms carefully, and follow the URL to the Privacy Statement, to make sure that you know what you’re agreeing to. For example, you must agree that:

• You will not use Messenger to send or receive any material protected by intellectual property laws unless you own the rights or have received consent to distribute the material.

• Microsoft may automatically update the version of Messenger you’re using.

• Microsoft can change the terms of use and privacy statement without telling you. To find out the changes, you must check online.

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