Microsoft KB Archive/902535

= Chatting by using Windows Messenger - Part 3: Adding contacts =

Article ID: 902535

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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SUMMARY
This article is Part 3 of the Chatting by using Windows Messenger guide. This article describes how to add contacts.

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 3: Adding contacts
When you start Microsoft Windows Messenger for the first time, the contact list is empty. You must gradually build the contact list by adding online buddies.

How to add a new contact
 Start Windows Messenger, and then click Add a Contact.



 Click the By e-mail address or sign-in name option, and then click Next.



 Type a contact's full e-mail address, and then click Next.



 If you want to add multiple contacts, you must divide the contacts into groups. Select the group that you want to add. If you have not created any groups, you cannot continue. Click Next to add more contacts, and then click Finish.



The new contact now appears in the Windows Messenger window.





How to create a group
 Click Next, and then click Add Group.



 A new group is created instantly. Specify a name for the new group, and then press Enter.



</li> You can now use a mouse to drag contacts to the group, one by one.



</li></ol>

How to change a display name
You may not want to have all e-mail addresses displayed in the Contacts window. You or your contacts can change this behavior by changing the display name. To do this, follow these steps:  In the Tools menu, click Options.</li> Click the Personal tab.</li> Enter your name as you want it to be displayed to contacts, and then click OK.



</li> Your new display name will appear from now on.



</li></ol>

When one of your contacts is online
If you have added new contacts, you can only communicate with them when they are signed in to Windows Messenger. You are notified immediately when a contact signs in.



Your online buddies will also be notified that you have added them to your list. Click the Allow this person to see when you are online and contact you option, click the Add this person to my contact list option, and then click OK.



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