Introducing Yahoo! Messenger
| What Is... | Installing Messenger and Signing In | Connecting With Your Friends | Showing Your Online Status | Getting Started |
Installing Messenger and Signing In
It’s easy to download and install Yahoo! Messenger.
To use Yahoo! Messenger, make sure your PC meets these minimum requirements:
- Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, or Windows XP operating system
- Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 or later
- Pentium II 233 Mhz or better (500 MHz recommended)
- Minimum 64 MB RAM for Windows 98 and ME & 128 MB RAM for Windows 2000 and XP
- Minimum 30 MB needed to install
To use additional Messenger features, such as the calling features, Webcam, and Yahoo! Music, your PC needs:
- Windows Media Player version 7 or higher
- Webcam—Messenger compatible
- A microphone, sound card, and speakers or a headset
Here’s How
To install Yahoo! Messenger:
Make sure your PC is connected to the Internet.
Launch Internet Explorer.
Enter the following address in the browser’s address field, then click Go.
messenger.yahoo.comThe Yahoo! Messenger web page opens.
Follow the online instructions to get the latest version of Yahoo! Messenger.
To sign in to Yahoo! Messenger:
Launch Yahoo! Messenger in one of the following ways:
In the Quick Launch toolbar, click the Yahoo! Messenger icon.
On the desktop, double-click the Yahoo! Messenger icon
In the Standard toolbar of your web browser, click the Messenger icon.
In the Messenger window, sign in with your Yahoo! ID and password.
If you like, check options that allow Yahoo! Messenger to:
Remember my ID & password—when you launch Yahoo! Messenger, the Sign In window automatically displays your Yahoo! ID and password. All you have to do is click the Sign In button.
Sign in automatically—when you launch the application, Yahoo! Messenger bypasses the Sign In window and automatically signs you in.
Sign in as invisible to everyone—all of your contacts see you as offline. After signing in, you have the option of changing this status so that everyone sees you as online or just a few selected contacts see you as online.
Tip: You can reset the last two options through the Yahoo! Messenger Preferences window.
Click the Sign In button.
Your Messenger window opens.
What’s Next
Now that you’ve installed and signed in to Yahoo! Messenger, you can connect with your friends and start instant messaging.
Words to Know
- Contact: a person with whom you interact; someone to whom you might want to send an email or instant message.
- Download: to transfer a file from a remote computer to your computer.
- Webcam: a video camera typically attached to a computer.
- Yahoo! ID: the name by which a person is known to all Yahoo! networks.