Description and Availability of MSN Messenger Service

ID: Q240063

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.02, 4.0, 4.01, 4.01 Service Pack 1, 4.01 Service Pack 2, 5, 5.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.01 Service Pack 2, 5, 5.01 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.02, 4.0, 4.01, 4.01 Service Pack 1, 4.01 Service Pack 2, 5, 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SUMMARY

MSN Messenger Service is an instant messaging program that tells you when your friends are online so that you can send an instant message to a friend or "talk" with several friends at once. You can also invite someone in your list to meet over the Internet using Microsoft NetMeeting or to play an Internet game. In addition, MSN Messenger notifies you when e-mail has arrived at Hotmail for you.


MORE INFORMATION

MSN Messenger Service is currently available from the following Microsoft Web site:

http://messenger.msn.com
You can also install MSN Messenger Service from the "Picks of the Month" section of the Windows Update Web site:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
NOTE: MSN Messenger Service is based on Hotmail accounts. To use MSN Messenger Service, you need to create a Hotmail account for yourself if you do not already have one. To do this, please visit the following Web site:
http://www.hotmail.com
MSN Messenger Service is on the public Internet and operates over a TCP port that is enabled by Socks proxies or a firewall that permits open ports (port number 1863 or 443 should be enabled for MSN Messenger service).

Integration with Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook Express, and NetMeeting

MSN Messenger Service provides integration with Internet Explorer, NetMeeting, Outlook Express, and Hotmail. MSN Messenger Service adds a button to the Standard Buttons toolbar and an MSN Messenger Service command to the Tools menu in Internet Explorer. Both start MSN Messenger Service. You can also start MSN Messenger Service from the Start menu, or from the taskbar icon if MSN Messenger Service was loaded automatically at startup.

In Outlook Express, MSN Messenger Service integration features are available as follows:
  • An Online tab is added to Address Book contacts.


  • MSN Messenger and My Online Status menus are added to the Tools menu.


  • An Automatically log on to MSN Messenger Service option is added on the General tab that is available when you click Options on the Tools menu.


  • An Instant Message option is added when you point to New on the File menu.


  • MSN Messenger Service allows each identity to retain its individual Hotmail name and settings. Switching between identities results in the MSN Messenger Service name and settings being switched as well.


You can use MSN Messenger Service to send an instant message invitation to an online contact with a link to start a NetMeeting session.

New features in version 2.0 include passport integration (logging on using your Hotmail.com passport), improved Hotmail integration (see a count of your unread Hotmail e-mail in MSN Messenger Service), MSN Today links (in the logo area in MSN Messenger Service), instant message formatting (set the font and size of your choice), and status information on the taskbar.

Support for MSN Messenger Service

For help with common problems and questions, please see the list of frequently asked questions at the following Web site:
http://messenger.msn.com/support/faq.asp
If you are reporting a problem, please check the known issues list first to see if Microsoft is already aware of the issue. To view known issues for MSN Messenger Service, please visit the following Web site:
http://messenger.msn.com/support/knownissues.asp
For help using MSN Messenger Service, to report a problem, or to give us general feedback and suggestions, please visit the following Web site:
http://messenger.msn.com/support/contactus.asp

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbtool
Version : WINDOWS:3.02,4.0,4.01,4.01 Service Pack 1,4.01 Service Pack 2,5,5.01,95; Win98:5.01; winnt:4.0
Platform : WINDOWS winnt Win98
Issue type : kbinfo


Last Reviewed: December 2, 1999
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