Minimum System Requirements

This article explains the minimum system requirements for your computer equipment and settings to use Yahoo! Messenger.

To ensure an optimal experience with Yahoo! Messenger, we recommend the following minimum system configuration or better:

• Operating System (OS) - Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
• Processor (CPU) - 1 GHz or higher
• Memory (RAM):
  • Minimum 512 MB RAM for Windows XP
  • Minimum 1 GB RAM for Windows Vista or Windows 7
• Hard disk drive (HDD) space - Minimum 100MB free space
• Browser - Internet Explorer (IE) versions 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. Download the latest version of Internet Explorer.
• Broadband Internet connection speed with a minimum of 300 Kbps download and 128 Kbps upload is recommended, but not essential.
• The latest version of Adobe Flash Player.
• The latest version of Java.

Additional requirements for Voice Calls, Video Calls and Voice Chat:

• Microsoft DirectX
• A microphone; sound card; and speakers or headset
• Video card with minimum of 96 MB memory
• A connected webcam (either built-in or external)
• A non-proxy connection. Voice and video features will not work over a proxy connection.

• Download and install the latest version of Yahoo! Messenger.
• Supported operating systems for Yahoo! Messenger.
• Emoticons, IMVironments, Audibles, Yahoo! Avatars, and some games in the Yahoo! Messenger Games plug-in require Adobe Flash Player.
• Some games in the Yahoo! Messenger Games plug-in require Java.