You must have a Microsoft .NET Passport to sign in to Windows Messenger.

~ Go to the .NET Passport (http://www.passport.com/) site.

Notes
~ Children age 12 and under who live in the United States need a Kids Passport to use Windows Messenger.
~ If you want to change the password for your .NET Passport, you may do so on the Member Services page of the .NET Passport site.

Like a firewall, a proxy server is a kind of buffer between your computer and the Internet. If your computer uses a proxy server connection, and you want to use Windows Messenger features such as file transfer and application sharing, your network and your proxy server must be set up in a way that allows your network or computer to connect directly to the .NET Messenger Service servers. See Related Topics for specific information.

To set up Windows Messenger to use a proxy server:

1. In Windows Messenger, on the Tools menu, and then click Options.
2. Click the Connections tab, and select the I use a proxy server check box.
3. In the Type list, select the type of proxy server your network uses.
4. In the remaining text boxes, fill in the appropriate connection information, and then click OK.

~ Talk to your network administrator to get your proxy server information.

If no proxy server is specified in Connections, Windows Messenger will first attempt to connect directly so that you can use all Messenger features. If Windows Messenger cannot connect directly, it will use the same Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) connection, including proxy server settings, that your default browser uses to connect to the Internet.

Important: If Windows Messenger uses your browser connection, you'll be able to send instant messages, but some features of Windows Messenger—such as calling a computer or sending files—might not be available.

Notes

~ To see what kind of proxy server connection Messenger is using, click the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Connection tab. In the bottom half of the dialog box, look for text that describes the connection -- either the default browser's HTTP proxy server settings, or a direct connection (no proxy server).
~ If Windows Messenger connects using a proxy server, features that require two computers to connect to each other might not work with a contact located outside the proxy. Windows Messenger features that require two computers to connect include file transfer, voice and video, Application Sharing, and Whiteboard.

If you are at a computer other than your own, you can still sign in to your own account.

1. In the main window, click the link To sign in with a different account, click here.

2. Type your sign-in name and/or password.
Do not select the Sign me in automatically check box.

1. If Windows Messenger is not set up to automatically sign you in, click Click here to sign in in the main Windows Messenger window.

2. If your sign-in information is not stored on your computer, type your sign-in name and password in the text box.

3. If you want to store your sign-in information on your computer, select the Sign me in automatically check box.
Caution! Do not select this check box on public computers or computers you share with others.

Both instant messages and invitations to voice conversations are sent in the conversation window, but the two differ in these ways:

~ For instant message conversations, you communicate by typing text. For voice conversations, you communicate by using your microphone to talk to someone at another computer, whose response you hear through your computer speakers.

~ You "send" an instant message. You "start" a voice conversation.

~ An instant messaging program sends messages in real time. That is, you carry on a live text conversation with one or more people.

~ Instant messages are temporary. Unless you deliberately save them, they are gone when you close the conversation window.

~ Beyond sending and receiving messages, you might also be able to use Windows Messenger to call someone from your computer or to set up an online meeting—if you use Windows XP, you can also use Windows Messenger to share a program or use Whiteboard together. If you are in a corporation, the availability of these features might be controlled by your network administrator.
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~ An instant messaging program sends messages in real time. That is, you carry on a live text conversation with one or more people.

~ Instant messages are temporary. Unless you deliberately save them, they are gone when you close the conversation window.

~ Beyond sending and receiving messages, you might also be able to use Windows Messenger to call someone from your computer or to set up an online meeting—if you use Windows XP, you can also use Windows Messenger to share a program or use Whiteboard together. If you are in a corporation, the availability of these features might be controlled by your network administrator.

A Kids Passport allows children aged 12 and younger who live in the United States to use Windows Messenger. A Kids Passport requires a parent's or guardian's consent to use the service. If you have more than one child under 13, you must give consent for each child's Kids Passport account.

For information about Kids Passport and to sign up and give parental consent for your child, go to the Kids Passport Web site (http://kids.passport.com/).

Related Topic

What is Microsoft .NET Passport?

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A Microsoft .NET Passport gives you a single, convenient way to sign in to multiple Internet sites and services using one sign-in name and password. You must have a .NET Passport to sign in to .NET Messenger Service using Windows Messenger.

You can learn more about .NET Passport at the .NET Passport (http://www.passport.com/) site.

Note
Children age 12 and under who live in the United States need a Kids Passport to sign in to .NET Messenger Service.




Related Topics
Get a Microsoft .NET Passport
What is Kids Passport?
Reset a forgotten Microsoft .NET Passport password
Change your Microsoft .NET Passport password
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A Microsoft .NET Passport gives you a single, convenient way to sign in to multiple Internet sites and services using one sign-in name and password. You must have a .NET Passport to sign in to .NET Messenger Service using Windows Messenger.

You can learn more about .NET Passport at the .NET Passport (http://www.passport.com/) site.

Note
Children age 12 and under who live in the United States need a Kids Passport to sign in to .NET Messenger Service.




Related Topics
Get a Microsoft .NET Passport
What is Kids Passport?
Reset a forgotten Microsoft .NET Passport password
Change your Microsoft .NET Passport password
access use login logon begin start begin

NET Messenger Service allows real-time communication over the Internet with other people who use Windows Messenger and who have Microsoft .NET Passports.

To sign in to .NET Messenger Service, you need a .NET Passport.

Windows Messenger allows real-time communication with other people who are signed in to .NET Messenger Service. To use Windows Messenger, you must be running Windows XP.

Here are some of the things you can do using Windows Messenger:

Create a contact list of your friends, family, and coworkers.
See when your contacts are online and available, and send text messages back and forth.
Send pictures, music, or documents to your contacts.
Call a computer and have a video/voice conversation using your computer microphone, speakers, and camera.
Use ink to write instant messages (requires Windows XP Tablet PC Edition).
Invite someone to look at a program on your computer or use Whiteboard together.
Use Remote Assistance to have someone help you with your computer.