MSN Messenger lets you see when your friends are online, send an instant message, send a file (for example, music or photos), have a voice chat, or send a message to a pager. You can even make calls from your computer to a phone almost anywhere in the world for a very low rate, invite a friend to play an online game, and much more.

The new MSN Messenger provides several benefits:

• With MSN Messenger you can have a contact list with up to 150 people, which you can now organize into groups. Define your own groups for family members, friends, or the players from the soccer team and get organized!
• You can now use MSN Messenger to go to a chat room. Meet new friends or join an MSN celebrity chat! (This feature may not be available in all areas.)
• Instant messaging is now even more fun with our cool, new emoticons. The new drop-down list lets you select emoticons just by clicking the image. You don’t have to remember the keystroke anymore.
• Get Microsoft® .NET Alerts as the ultimate way to stay in touch! You can choose to receive important information like stock alerts in MSN Messenger, on your mobile device, and in your e-mail inbox. (This feature may not be available in all areas.)

Note Calls placed using MSN Messenger Service 3.x, MSN Messenger, or Windows Messenger are free when made from a computer to a computer. Computer-to-computer calls can be made if both parties are using MSN Messenger or Windows Messenger. If you are still using MSN Messenger Service version 3.x, you will be able to call only those computers that also have MSN Messenger Service version 3.x. To place calls from a computer to a telephone or mobile device, you must have MSN Messenger 4.5 or higher or Windows Messenger 4.5 or higher and a prepaid account with a voice service provider. All fees for such calls will be deducted from this account. However, please note that any standard phone charges and connect-time charges you normally pay for your Internet service provider (ISP), telephone, cell phone or mobile device service still apply when you place calls using MSN Messenger. Certain country restrictions also apply; void where prohibited by law. Internet calls are regulated and blocked by law in certain countries. Computer-to-phone calls require a Microsoft Passport, an MSN Hotmail® account, or an MSN Internet access account; multimedia computer; 33.6 Kbps modem; sound card; speakers; microphone; and Internet access. The listed voice service providers make voice transmission services available to users of MSN Messenger 4.5 and higher. Subject to change without notice.

• A Windows-based PC 486DX/66 or higher (running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millenium Edition (Windows Me), Windows 2000, or Windows NT® 4.0), 10 MB disk space available for installation, and 8 MB RAM
  Note If you are running Windows XP, you don't need to install this update because Windows XP already has the software you need. Just click Start, point to Programs, and then click Windows Messenger.
  --OR--
• A Macintosh or PowerPC (running MacOS 8.6 or higher), 3 MB disk space available, and 24 MB RAM
  
  Other requirements
  
• Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.01, Netscape Navigator version 4.0, or higher
• Voice: A full-duplex sound card, a speaker and microphone, and a modem and a working connection with speeds of 33.6 KB per second or faster.

1. MSN Messenger opens automatically every time you start your Windows-based computer. An icon is available in the taskbar.
2. Double-click the icon to use MSN Messenger.
3. If you don't see the icon in your task bar, click Start, point to Programs, and then click MSN Messenger.