How to Set up and Use Windows Essentials Messenger

Introduction

Windows Essentials Messenger, formerly known as Windows Live Messenger, is a free instant messaging client developed by Microsoft. It allows users to connect with friends and family through text, voice, and video chat. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of setting up and using Windows Essentials Messenger on your Windows computer.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• A compatible Windows operating system (Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10)
• An active internet connection
• A valid Microsoft account or Windows Live ID (if you don't have one, you can create it during the setup process)

Step 1: Download and Install Windows Essentials Messenger

1. Visit the official Microsoft website for Windows Essentials at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-essentials-8c6de34f-853f-41f8-b303-57a1a6f19625.
2. Click on the "Download now" button to start the download.
3. Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file (usually in the Downloads folder) and double-click on it.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows Essentials Messenger on your computer.

Step 2: Sign in to Windows Essentials Messenger

1. Launch Windows Essentials Messenger from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.
2. On the sign-in screen, enter your Microsoft account or Windows Live ID email address and password.
3. Click the "Sign in" button to log in.

Step 3: Add Contacts

1. After signing in, you will be presented with the main Messenger window.
2. Click on the "Add a Contact" icon, usually located near the top-right corner of the window.
3. Enter the email address or Windows Live ID of the person you want to add as a contact.
4. Click the "Add" button to send them a contact request.
5. Once the contact accepts your request, they will appear in your contact list.

Step 4: Start a Conversation

1. Double-click on a contact's name in your contact list to open a conversation window.
2. Type a message in the text input field at the bottom of the window.
3. Press Enter or click the Send button to send the message.
4. Alternatively, you can also initiate a voice or video call by clicking on the respective icons next to the text input field.

Step 5: Customize Messenger Settings

1. Click on the "Options" icon, usually represented by a gear symbol, located near the top-right corner of the Messenger window.
2. From the drop-down menu, select "Options" to access the settings.
3. In the options window, you can customize various settings such as your status, notifications, privacy, and more.
4. Make the desired changes and click "OK" to save the settings.

Step 6: Sign out of Messenger

1. To sign out of Windows Essentials Messenger, click on your display picture or username at the top-left corner of the Messenger window.
2. From the drop-down menu, select "Sign out."

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully set up and learned how to use Windows Essentials Messenger on your Windows computer. You can now connect with friends and family using text, voice, and video chat. Keep exploring the various features and settings available in Messenger to enhance your messaging experience.