Microsoft KB Archive/902533

= Chatting by using Windows Messenger - Part 1: Introduction =

Article ID: 902533

Article Last Modified on 2/6/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional

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This article is Part 1 of the Chatting by using Windows Messenger guide. This part introduces this topic.

To view the other topics of the Chatting by using Windows Messenger guide, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that are listed in the &quot;References&quot; section.

The Chatting by using Windows Messenger guide includes the following topics: Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Registering for Windows Messenger Part 3: Adding contacts Part 4: Sending and receiving messages



Part 1: Introduction
You can use Microsoft Windows Messenger to make and maintain online contacts. All that you require is a Passport Network account to send and receive short messages or to exchange small files with online contacts.

How to download Windows Messenger
Windows Messenger is integrated in Microsoft Windows XP. To start the program, just click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Messenger.

You can also use the Microsoft Download Center to search for the latest version of Windows Messenger. To do this, follow these steps:  Visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en

 In the Search section, click Windows in the Product/Technology list, type Windows Messenger, and then click Go.



 Click the latest version. (In this example, click Windows Messenger 5.1.)



 Click Continue.



 Click Download.



 Store the Messenger.msi file on the computer by clicking Save.



 Select a storage location for the file, such as on the desktop, and then click Save.



</li> When the download is completed, click Close.</li></ol>

How to install Windows Messenger
<ol> Double-click the Messenger.msi file.



</li> The Setup Wizard appears. Click Next.



</li> Accept the terms of the License Agreement, and then click Next.



</li> Windows Messenger is then installed automatically. You do not have to do anything else.



</li> Click Finish when the installation is completed.



</li></ol>

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