How to Find Archived Conversation On MSN Messenger

Instant messaging is great because you can hold a real-time, online "conversation" with one person or a whole group. Unlike email, however, messages sent on MSN Explorer are not automatically saved for you. Fortunately, with MSN Explorer, it's possible to save your messages and then later find your archived conversations. Follow these steps to find out how.

Things You'll Need

• Compatible browser
• Computer with an Internet connection

Instructions

Find Conversations on MSN Messenger

1. Log in to MSN (see Resources below).

2. Click the "File" menu and then select "View Message History" from the drop-down menu.

3. Select one of your "Friends/Contacts" if you're asked to make a selection. Then click "OK." Your message history with this person will be revealed, showing every saved message since you began saving messages.

4. Open MSN Messenger by double clicking on the MSN Messenger icon in your system tray.

Save Every Conversation on MSN Messenger

1. Open MSN Messenger by double clicking on the MSN Messenger icon in the system tray.

2. Click the Tools menu, then choose "Options" from the drop-down menu.

3. Click "Messages."

4. Locate the "Message History" section and then check the "Automatically Keep A History Of My Conversations" box.

Tips & Warnings

• For additional information about finding archived conversations on MSN Messenger, visit Ask Leo (see Resources below).

• To save messages, you must have Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater.

• MSN Messenger will save up to 8,192 messages with your friends and contacts on your computer. Once you reach that number, you will need to delete or archive messages in order to continue saving new messages. If you choose to delete messages, the oldest messages will be removed first.

• Archived messages on MSN Explorer require that you save your messages into a file that is saved on your computer. In order to find your archived messages, you will need to search for the file on your computer. To make your search easier, use an easy-to-remember file name and save the file in an easy-to-find location, such as "My Documents."

• Before you can archive messages, you first need to find your past conversations, or, begin saving conversations.

• Remember that not everyone wants their instant messages (IM) conversations to be recorded. People will often say things in an IM conversation that they wouldn't say in an email. It's polite to let your friends know that you archive your IM conversations.