How to Update Yahoo Messenger

Yahoo Messenger is among the more popular instant messaging servers in use today. Millions of people rely on it for sending important messages, files and even photos to one another. Like any other program, however, it has bugs that need to be addressed from time to time, which is why it's important to update your Yahoo Messenger version.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Computer
• Yahoo Messenger
• Yahoo account

Instructions

Update Your Version of Yahoo Messenger

1. Log on to your Yahoo account by heading to the Yahoo home page and entering your account information (see Resources below). Create an account from this page by clicking the 'Sign Me Up!' link.

2. Click the 'Messenger' link when the Yahoo main page opens. This will bring you to the Yahoo Messenger main page, which includes information regarding the latest version of the program, as well as any new features and fixes.

3. Click the 'Get Started' link to begin setting up the latest version of Yahoo Messenger.

4. Follow the instructions presented. They will tell you to wait for the download of the Yahoo Messenger executable to begin (although you can click the 'Click Here' link to expedite the process), and you will need to run it once the download is complete.

5. Set up Yahoo Messenger by following the installation prompts (it will overwrite older versions of itself), then start it for the first time.

Tips & Warnings

• Check in with Yahoo periodically for a Yahoo Messenger update. Every 90 days or so (on average) there is some form of update. Some updates are mere bug fixes, while others offer a completely new version of the software.

• Troubleshoot Yahoo Messenger by visiting Yahoo Answers, a repository for information from Yahoo Support as well as the Yahoo community (see Resources below).

• Be careful about downloading versions of Yahoo Messenger from sites other than Yahoo. Some less reputable hosts are known to piggyback spyware, malware and even viruses onto the executable file. Only download Yahoo Messenger from Yahoo or another source you trust.

• Don't save your account information on your hard drive. There is always the danger that someone can gain access to your computer and compromise your accounts, causing mischief or more serious (and permanent) harm to your identity.