How to Get a Thumbnail Picture for Windows Live Messenger

Contributor

By Elexis Marie
eHow Contributing Writer

Windows Live Messenger is the newest incarnation of MSN Messenger. Hotmail and MSN users can connect to Messenger to instant message friends and family who also use the service. This program is installed by default on most Windows machines and can be easily added through Windows Update. In the new version of Messenger, you can add display, or "thumbnail," pictures that your contacts will see while you're chatting.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Sign in to Windows Live Messenger. Open the program, and log in with your existing Hotmail or MSN account.
Step 2

Open the display image dialogue. Click on the image in the upper left-hand corner of the program screen.
Step 3

Select your display image. Windows Live Messenger comes with several display images by default.
Step 4

Choose your own image. If you don't like any of the images provided by Messenger, click on the "Choose" button on the right-hand side of the program. Find the file you would like to use, and click "OK."
Step 5

Take a new image. If you have a webcam, choose "Webcam picture." A new window will pop up with a live preview screen. Take your picture, and press "Take a Picture." If you like the picture, press "OK."