Description and Availability of MSN Messenger Service

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.

MSN Messenger Service is currently available from the following Microsoft Web site: You can also install MSN Messenger Service from the following Windows Update Web site: This major update includes voice chat and file transfers. For a list of MSN Messenger releases and new features in each release, please see the following Microsoft Web site: NOTE: MSN Messenger Service is based on Microsoft Passport accounts. To use MSN Messenger Service, you need to create a Microsoft Passport account for yourself if you do not already have one. If you're already a Hotmail user, you've already got a Passport and you won't need another one.

To get a Passport:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. On the Accounts tab, click the Sign Up button and go to a Web page where you can get a Passport.

NOTE: Family members who use the same computer may want to get individual Passports. Children age 12 and under who live in the United States need a Kids Passport to use MSN Messenger Service.

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: 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: For help using MSN Messenger Service, to report a problem, or to give us general feedback and suggestions, please visit the following Web site: