How Do I Block Instant Messages Using MSN Live?

MSN Live Messenger is an instant messaging service that allows users to chat with each other in real time using a text-based interface. MSN Live Messenger has been renamed Windows Live Messenger and existing accounts have been updated to reflect this, although it is still often referred to as MSN Messenger. Windows Live Messenger allows people to contact you when you are on line. There may be times when you do not want certain contacts to send messages to you and the application allows you to block them.

Instructions

1. Click "Start" then select "All Programs" then select "Windows Live." Select "Windows Live Messenger" to start the Windows Live Messenger program.

2. Type your email address in the higher of the two text-entry boxes. Type your password into the text-entry box immediately below this. This will sign you into Windows Live Messenger.

3. Locate and click on the "Show Menu" drop-down list. This can be found near the top right of the Windows Live Messenger window, to the right of the "Search contacts or the web" text-input strap. Select "Tools" then select "Options." This opens the "Options" window.

4. Click on "Privacy" from the vertical list of options on the left of the "Options" window. This displays actions you can perform, in the right pane of the "Options" window, including blocking contacts.

5. Click on the name of a contact in the "Allow" list that you want to block from sending messages to you. Click the "Block" button to add the blocked contact to the "Block" list. Repeat for all the contacts you wish to block. Click "OK" to return to Windows Live Messenger.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to allow blocked contacts to contact you again, follow the steps listed in this article, but select the name in the "Block" list and click the "Allow" button to return that contact to the "Allow" list.

References

• Microsoft: How to Block Unwanted Instant Messages

Resources

• Butterscotch: Windows Live Messenger Overview and Tutorials