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Check the .NET Messenger Service status|Help | ![]() |
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Most Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are some known issues for MSN Messenger?What are the main features of MSN Messenger?How are MSN Messenger and Windows® Messenger different?
Download and InstallationWhat if I have problems downloading the software?What if I have problems installing the program?How do I uninstall MSN Messenger if I have problems?Can other people who use my computer also use MSN Messenger?How do I add contacts to my list in MSN Messenger?ConnectivityWhy can't I connect to .NET Messenger Service?Why can't I send files or start an audio conversation with another contact?What if I forget my password?VoiceWhat can I do if I am having problems talking to my contacts via either PC-to-PC or PC-to-Phone?What is a voice service provider?How do I set up an account?Can I transfer money from my service provider account to an account used with MSN Messenger?How do I fix bad sound quality?PrivacyHow can I help limit unauthorized access to my personal information when using the Internet and MSN Messenger?How can I help protect my contact list?How can I keep people I don't know from sending me instant messages?SecuritySecurity and Viruses: How MSN Helps you Protect yourselfFor more detailed Help on the MSN Messenger, Public MSN Messenger Newsgroup Answers to Common QuestionsAbout MSN MessengerWhat are the main features of MSN Messenger?MSN Messenger is an instant messaging program that lets you:
Click How are MSN Messenger and Windows® Messenger different?Windows XP comes with Windows Messenger, which remains available even after MSN Messenger 6.0 is installed on your computer. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Download and InstallationWhat if I have problems downloading the software?Try saving the software to your hard disk:
If you get a "Page not found error" when trying to download, either refresh the page or use the What if I have problems installing the program?Try the following:
How do I uninstall MSN Messenger if I have problems?To uninstall MSN Messenger:
Can other people who use my computer also use MSN Messenger?Yes, several people can use the same computer to sign in to .NET Messenger Service. To do this, each person must:
With a Passport account, a person can sign in at any computer and access their personal contact list. Remember, your personal contact list won't be stored on your computer unless you specifically choose to do so by clicking Save Contact List on the Contacts menu in MSN Messenger. See Help in MSN Messenger for more information on this feature. How do I add contacts to my list in MSN Messenger?You can add a person if you know their e-mail address; if not, you can search for them by name. Each of your MSN Messenger contacts must have a Passport-enabled e-mail address and MSN Messenger (or Windows Messenger) installed in order for you to exchange instant messages. If the person doesn't have a Passport-enabled e-mail account or MSN Messenger yet, you can authorize .NET Messenger Service to send them an e-mail message that tells them exactly what to do to get set up. To do this:
ConnectivityWhy can't I connect to .NET Messenger Service?There could be several reasons why you are unable to sign into .NET Messenger Service. Try the following: If your Passport is not recognized, go to a Passport site ( You may also want to:
HOME or PERSONAL LAN USERS If you are using ICS or Router for Home LAN, you may need to adjust some of your settings or update hardware/firmware drivers. For more information on this, search on LAN or Network in the MSN Messenger Help Topics from the MSN Messenger client. Firewalls and third-party applications may also affect your ability to connect to MSN Messenger. To see if any of these applications are affecting your connectivity, you can disable the application(s) and then try to connect to the .Net Messenger service. CORPORATE USERS If you are behind a firewall or within a company local area network (LAN), MSN Messenger and other instant messaging programs could be blocked by the firewall or your company's security restrictions. Please contact your Network Administrator for assistance. For more information on what ports a Network Administrator should open for MSN Messenger to work, please see "Guide for Network Administrators" found in Help (Help | Help Topics | All Topics). Make sure that in MSN Messenger under Tools | Options, the I use a proxy server check box is clear on the Connection tab. Only certain proxy servers require this, so unless you have been told to select this by your network administrator, do not do so. Why can't I send files or start an audio conversation with another contact?You may be behind a firewall or may be using Internet-sharing software or hardware, a system also known as ICS/NAT. To learn more, see "ICS/NAT Issues" on Also, make sure your contact is not behind a firewall or ICS/NAT. If possible, try this with more than one contact to verify the problem is not with just one contact. What if I forget my password?If you forget your password, you can create a new one:
VoiceFor voice communications to work effectively, both users must have at least version 4.5 of MSN Messenger. What can I do if I am having problems talking to my contacts via either PC-to-PC or PC-to-Phone?Most voice problems within Messenger are related to firewall or network settings. FirewallsYou can use the Voice features of MSN Messenger if you are behind a Universal Plug and Play (or UPnP) firewall or are using Universal Plug and Play (or UPnP) Network Address Translation (NAT) with your home PC. An example of an UPnP firewall\NAT is Windows XP ICS (Internet Connection Sharing). If you have a personal firewall installed on your PC, please:
Check with the manufacturer of your firewall to see if a UPnP version is available. If it is not, you will be unable to access the PC-to-PC/ PC-to-Phone voice features with your current firewall. One exception to the UPnP firewall requirement is for users behind an ISA Firewall Server. This is a corporate class firewall and you should either consult your corporate Helpdesk or consult your ISA Firewall Server documentation for more information. If you have any questions on whether you are behind a firewall or what type of firewall it is, please contact your ISP or corporate Helpdesk. Network Address Translation (NAT) MSN Messenger PC-Phone features should work behind most Network Address Translation (NAT) devices or software. There is, however, a chance that certain implementations of the NAT standard by some manufactures could be broken. To ensure the best results when using NAT, make sure you have the latest version of both the firmware and software. These should be available from your NAT manufacturer's Web site. For more information on updating your device or software, please refer to the documentation that came with your NAT. Other problems not related to firewalls or NATIssues with your firewall or NAT are the most common reasons why the PC-to-PC/PC-to-Phone features do not work. Even if you are not aware of a firewall or NAT on your computer, it is possible that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is using one. Please contact your ISP to verify this. You need to have a full duplex soundcard for full PC-to-PC and PC-to-Phone functionality. What is a voice service provider?A voice service provider is the company that you pay to provide your Internet phone service in MSN Messenger. You can put money on an account with them and in return, they will provide you with low-rate, long-distance service on the calls you make from MSN Messenger. In many places in the world, you can choose from several service providers, but you can only have an account with one. Your chosen voice service provider is responsible for the quality of the phone calls you make from your computer. When voice quality is diminished, heavy Internet traffic is usually the main cause. If you have a problem with voice quality, see the topic "How do I fix bad sound quality?" for more information. How do I set up an account?First, you need to choose a voice service provider. You can do that by selecting Actions | Make a Phone Call and clicking Get Started Here! in the Phone window in MSN Messenger. Once you decide, click the voice service provider you have chosen; at the provider's site, you can sign up for their service. Can I transfer money from my service provider account to an account used with MSN Messenger?That depends on the policies of your voice service provider. If you previously used a telephony program (such as a program provided by that voice service provider) to place calls over the Internet and want to transfer the balance from that account to an account you can use with MSN Messenger, you will need to contact your original voice service provider directly to ask whether they allow transfers of funds. Usually, you cannot transfer funds from one account to another. How do I fix bad sound quality?Brief transmission delays sometimes degrade the sound quality in a conversation. This is usually caused by either a slow Internet connection or incorrect hardware configuration. To resolve this, try the following: Slow Internet Connection
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PrivacyHow can I help limit unauthorized access to my personal information when using the Internet and MSN Messenger?The MSN Messenger client uses your Microsoft .NET Passport profile to sign in to .NET Messenger Service. Take steps to help protect your Passport profile information by following these basic guidelines:
How can I help protect my contact list?To help protect your contact list and personal privacy, follow these guidelines:
For more information, see "Add a contact to your list" in Messenger Help. How can I keep people I don't know from sending me instant messages?People who know your e-mail address can send you messages even if they are not on your contact list or on your Allow List. You can prevent this by adjusting your privacy settings. To block messages from everyone who is not on your contact list or on your Allow List:
All others moves to your Block list. This forces anyone who wants to send you messages to add you to their own contact list. To block messages from an individual:
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Security and Viruses: How MSN Helps you Protect yourselfTip: In order to avoid some of the more common attempts to spread viruses and worms, we recommend that you do not open any files that you receive via MSN Messenger unless you can verify the source and the content. There are a number of ways you can protect your computer against these viruses:
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