Most Frequently Asked Questions

For more detailed Help on MSN Messenger, please click here.

If your problem is still not answered you may want to try posting your question in the MSN Messenger Newsgroups. Click here to access the Public MSN Messenger Newsgroup.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Download and Installation

How do I fix the error "MSN Messenger setup failed with error code '1603'" during setup?

When running MSN Messenger Setup, you may encounter a "1603" error or you may get the following error message instead.

An error occurred during the installation of assembly "Microsoft.Windows.Networking.RtcDll, type="win32", version="5.2.2.1", publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df", processorAchitecture="x86"". Please refer to Help and Support for more information. HRESULT: 0x80070002.

To resolve the situation:

Turn off any spyware detection programs.
If you have the Microsoft® Windows® AntiSpyware (Beta) installed, right-click the Windows AntiSpyware icon in the taskbar notification area and click "Shutdown Microsoft AntiSpyware". To turn off non-Microsoft anti-spyware programs, refer to instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Run MSN Messenger Setup again.
If this does not resolve the problem, you may not have enough free disk space. The Disk Cleanup tool calculates how to safely free up disk space on your hard disk.

To make some disk space available:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Performance and Maintenance.
3. Click Free up space on your hard disk.
  The Disk Cleanup dialog box appears.
4. On the Disk Cleanup tab, select the following check boxes:
  - Downloaded Program Files
  - Temporary Internet Files
  - Temporary Files
  - Temporary Offline Files
  - Offline Files
5. Click OK to delete the files from these locations.
6. When prompted, click Yes start the disk cleanup.

How do I uninstall MSN Messenger if I have problems?

To uninstall MSN Messenger:

Click the MSN Messenger icon in the taskbar, and then click Exit.
Click the Windows Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
Select MSN Messenger from the list and click the Add/Remove button.

Connectivity

How do I fix error 81000301 or 81000306?

When you try to sign in to MSN Messenger, you may receive the following error message:

We were unable to sign you in to MSN Messenger, possibly because of a problem with the service or with your Internet connection. Please make sure that you are connected to the Internet.

Try the following to help resolve the situation:

Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
Make sure you have installed the latest version of MSN Messenger.
Make sure you have installed the latest available updates for your operating system. For Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, go to the Microsoft® Windows® Update website.
If you are using a firewall, make sure that MSN Messenger is allowed full access through the firewall. For more information, see the firewall documentation.
Verify the Advanced Connection settings for MSN Messenger.

Notes

If your computer is part of a corporate network, contact your network administrator to make sure that the network allows access to the MSN Messenger service.
If you use a dial-up connection, the connection may be timing out. Try to connect again later.

How do I fix error 81000370?

When you try to sign in to MSN Messenger, you may receive the following error message:

We were unable to sign you in to the Microsoft® .NET Messenger Service.

Try the following to help resolve the situation:

Click the MSN Messenger icon in the taskbar (next to the clock), and then click Exit.
Make the following changes to your Internet options:
1. Click the Microsoft Windows Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Network and Internet Connections.
3. Click Set up or change your Internet connection.
4. Click the Content tab.
5. Under Certificates, click Clear SSL State.
6. Click OK when you receive a confirmation.
7. Click the Advanced tab, and then scroll down to Security.
8. Make sure that Check for server certificate revocation (requires restart) is not selected, and that Use SSL 2.0 and Use SSL 3.0 are selected.
If your computer is running Microsoft® Microsoft® Windows® XP, clear the DNS resolver cache.
1. On the taskbar, click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the box, type cmd, and then click OK.
3. At the command prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns, and then press ENTER.
Try to sign-in to MSN Messenger again.

How do I fix error 81000365, 8100035b or 80072EFD?

If you can't sign in to MSN Messenger, the connection settings in MSN Messenger might be preventing you from connecting to the Microsoft® .NET Passport or Microsoft® .NET Messenger Service. The MSN Messenger Connection Troubleshooter can often find and fix these problems. The Connection Troubleshooter starts automatically if MSN Messenger encounters a connection problem. If you choose not to use the Connection Troubleshooter, or it does not solve your connection problem, try the following:

Click the Tools menu, and then click Options.
In the left pane, click Connection.
Under Connection Settings, click Test Connection.
If you agree to allow the Connection Troubleshooter to examine your system, it will test for connection problems and report steps you can take to correct them.
Optional: Perform advanced troubleshooting
To troubleshoot your specific type of connection, click Advanced Settings. On the Advanced Connection Options dialog box, check that the settings for your particular connection type are correct. To test your connection, click the Test button. Click OK, and then click OK.
Click OK.
When you choose these settings, MSN Messenger will use the Microsoft® Internet Explorer connection settings if possible.
Try signing in to MSN Messenger again.

How do I fix error 81000303?

When you try to sign in to MSN Messenger, you may receive the following error message:

Sorry, we could not sign you in because the sign-in name you entered does not exist or your password is incorrect.

Try the following to help resolve the situation:

Delete your temporary internet files and cookies. See your browser Help (or operating system Help) for more details.
Sign-in to MSN Messenger again. If you receive the same error message again, you may need to reset your Microsoft® .NET Passport credentials.
If you continue to receive the error message, you may be experiencing network latency, or there may be a problem with the .NET Passport service. Try to sign in again later.

How do I fix error 81000362?

When you try to sign in to MSN Messenger, you may receive the following error message:

Encountered an Unknown Error.
-or-
We could not sign you in to MSN Messenger because Internet Explorer is currently set to work offline. Please change this setting on your browser's File menu, and then try signing in again.

Try the following to help resolve the situation:

Click the MSN Messenger icon in the taskbar (next to the clock), and then click Exit.
Start Microsoft® Internet Explorer.
On the File menu, ensure that Work Offline is not checked. If it is checked, click Work Offline to turn it off.
Try to sign in to MSN Messenger again.

Why are my MSN Messenger instant messages slow to appear in the the Conversation window?

Spyware can cause a delay between when you type a message and when it appears in your Conversation window. If you are experiencing this problem, you should install an anti-spyware program. We recommend Microsoft® Windows® AntiSpyware, which is currently available as a Beta release.

Privacy

How 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:

Create a strong password:
- Use a combination of numbers, letters and standard symbols (~, #, %), such as qwert%319.
- Use at least 6 characters, but no more than 16 characters.
- Use something you can remember.
- Don't include spaces or special characters.
- Don't use personal information that someone could easily figure out, such as your birthday, your child's name, or your phone number.
- Don't use common dictionary words from any language.
- Passwords are case-sensitive, so note which letters you capitalize.
Change your password every few months.
Never share your password with anyone.
Don't respond to any message that asks for your password.
Never store your account information and password on your computer. That will make it easier for someone to get access to the information. If you do need to write down your account information, make sure you store it in a safe place.
Don't use your Passport password to sign up for accounts at non-Passport-sites that require an e-mail address and password. The non-Passport service may not have the same strict standards as .NET Passport which uses a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your Passport account. Use your Passport information to sign in only at Passport sites. Use a different password for all other accounts and sites.
Don't store your MSN Messenger contacts list and tab information on a shared computer. To prevent your MSN Messenger contacts list and tab information from being stored on a computer, do the following:
1. In the main MSN Messenger window, click the Tools menu, and then click Options.
2. Click the Privacy tab, and then click the This is a shared computer so don't display my tabs and This is a shared computer so don't store my address book, display picture, or background on it check boxes.
Choose the MSN Messenger privacy setting that requires Hotmail and other Passport-enabled Web pages to ask you for your password instead of signing you in automatically. To do this:
1. In the main MSN Messenger window, click the Tools menu, and then click Options.
2. Click the Privacy tab, and then click the Always ask me for my password when checking Hotmail or opening other .NET Passport-enabled Web pages check box.

How can I help protect my privacy?

To help protect your privacy, follow these guidelines:

When blocking a contact, always follow the proper steps: Click Block in the toolbar in the conversation window or in the main window, right-click the contact's name, and click Block. Remember that deleting a contact from your list does not block the contact from seeing and contacting you.
Know who is monitoring your status. Click Tools | Options | Privacy and look at your "My Allow List". If you see a contact you don't recognize in that list, right-click their name and select Properties. If you still don't recognize them and they aren't in your contact list, right-click their name and add them. Confirm their identity by sending them an instant message or by sending them e-mail.
To see who has added you to their contact list, click on Tools | Options | Privacy and click the View button.
Don't store your MSN Messenger contacts list on a shared computer. To prevent your MSN Messenger contacts list from being stored on a computer, do the following:
1. In the main MSN Messenger window, click the Tools menu, and then click Options.
2. Click the Privacy tab, and then click the This is a shared computer so don't store my address book, display picture, or background on it check box.

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:

In the Messenger main window, click the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Privacy tab.
Under My Allow List, click All others, and then click Block.

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:

Click Block on the toolbar in the Conversation window.
If you are in a conversation with multiple people, click Block and then click the name of the person you want to block.

Notes

The blocked contact does not know he or she has been blocked. You simply appear to be offline to them.
Deleting a blocked person from your contact list does not remove the block.
A person you have blocked cannot contact you directly; however, you might find yourself in a conversation with the blocked person if you are both invited to the conversation by someone else.

Security

Security and viruses: How MSN Messenger helps you protect your computer

Tip: To help protect your computer from viruses and worms, do not open any files that you receive via MSN Messenger unless you can verify that the sender intended to send you the file. You can also set up your virus scanning software to scan the files that people send you in MSN Messenger. To do this:

In the main Messenger window, click Options on the Tools menu.
Click the Messages tab.
Under File Transfer, click the Scan for viruses using check box.
Click Browse, and then select your virus scanning software.

For more information about setting up your virus scanning software, read the manufacturer's instructions. You should also make sure your virus scanning software is up-to-date (go to the company's Web site or call them to get more information).

Other helpful tips:

Many viruses are designed to be sent via your Messenger contacts without their knowledge. Before accepting or opening an attached file, always check with the contact first to see if they intended to send the attachment to you.
If you are ever unsure about an attachment, do not open it. Delete the file immediately.

Be cautious about opening messages from people you do not know. Remember that in MSN Messenger you decide who is on your contacts list and who you want to receive messages from.

General

How do I activate the Handwrite feature?

If you are unable to use the Handwrite tab in the conversation window, you may need to install the following software to activate it:

Microsoft® Windows® XP or Microsoft® Windows® 2000 (with Service Pack 3 or later). If you are not sure your operating system is up-to-date, go to the Microsoft® Windows® Update website.
Microsoft Windows Journal Viewer 1.5. Download now.
Security Update for Windows Journal Viewer. Download now.

How can I stop MSN Messenger from starting automatically?

Click the Tools menu, and then click Options.
In the left pane, click General.
Under Sign In, clear the Automatically run Messenger when I log on to Windows check box.
Click OK.

How can I remove names from the sign in window?

When you sign in to MSN Messenger, you may see several Passport name choices available in the sign-in window. You can remove names that aren't needed or add new names.

In the main MSN Messenger window, click the Tools menu and click Options.
In the left pane, click General.
Under Sign-in Accounts and Passwords, click Change.
To add names to your list:
1. Click Add
2. Type your network location, user name, and password.
3. Click OK.
To remove names from your list:
1. Click the name you want to delete
2. Click Remove
3. Click OK.
Click Close.
Click OK.

How can I stop getting the "You have signed in to Messenger on another computer" error when I haven’t signed in anywhere else?

Microsoft® Windows® XP comes with Microsoft® Windows® Messenger, which remains available even after MSN Messenger is installed on your computer. Here are some things to keep in mind:

If Microsoft® Windows® Messenger and MSN Messenger both use the same Microsoft® .NET Passport, whichever program starts last will cause the previous program to sign out. If you are having problems being automatically signed out of MSN Messenger, configure Microsoft® Windows® Messenger to stop signing in automatically.
1. Start Microsoft® Windows® Messenger
2. Click Help
3. Open the Stop the Microsoft® Windows® Messenger program from starting automatically topic.
4. Follow the instructions in the Help topic.
You can run Microsoft® Windows® Messenger and MSN Messenger at the same time, provided you are signed in to different .NET Passport accounts.
By default, MSN Messenger starts automatically whenever you start Windows. To change this setting, see How can I stop MSN Messenger from starting automatically? .
Some programs, such as Outlook, Outlook Express, and Remote Assistance, connect to Microsoft® Windows® Messenger by default. When you are signed in to MSN Messenger, you may appear offline to people who connect to these programs and have you listed as a contact.

Why can't I play winks or see some Dynamic Display Pictures?

To view winks and dynamic display pictures, you and your contact must have the latest version of the Macromedia Flash Player installed.

How can I block contacts from sending me Nudges?

If you find the Nudge feature distracting, you can block contacts from sending them to you.

In the main MSN Messenger window, on the Tools menu, click Options.
In the left pane, click Messages.
Clear the Allow people to send me Nudges check box.
Click OK.

Now, when someone sends you a Nudge, you will receive only the following message: You have just received a Nudge!

How can stop my contacts from sending me winks?

If you find the wink feature distracting, you can block contacts from sending them to you.

In the main MSN Messenger window, on the Tools menu, click Options.
In the left pane, click Messages.
Clear the Play Winks automatically check box.
Click OK.

You will still receive a notification that someone sent you a wink, but it won't play automatically.

Why do I get the following error when I try to play a wink: "Cannot play wink at this time. Try another wink"?

You may need to reinstall the Macromedia Flash Player to resolve this problem.

To uninstall, and then reinstall the Flash Player:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
Click Add or Remove Programs.
Click Remove a program.
In the Currently installed programs list, click Shockwave, and then click Remove.
Download and install Macromedia Flash Player.

If Shockwave does not appear in the Currently installed programs list, do the following:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
Click Network and Internet Connections.
Click Internet Options.
On the General tab, under Temporary Internet files, click Settings.
In the Settings dialog box, click View Objects.
A new Web browser window will open.
In the Web browser window, right click Shockwave Flash Object, and then click Remove.
An error message will appear: "There is not enough information available to completely remove Shock Flash Object. Please check Add/Remove Program Control Panel for more removal options." Or you may see the error Shockwave object will be removed permanently. Are you sure?
Click OK.
Download and install Macromedia Flash Player.

How do I add contacts to my list in MSN Messenger?

You can add a person if you know their e-mail address. If you do not know the person's e-mail address, you can search them by name in the MSN Directory. To do this:

In the main Messenger window, click Contacts, point to Search for a Contact, and then click Advanced Search. Fill out the search form, and then click Search.

If you cannot find the person in the MSN Directory, he or she might not have a Microsoft .NET Passport e-mail address. 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:

In the main Messenger window, click Contacts, and then click Add a Contact. Follow the instructions in the Add a Contact wizard.