How to Check to See if Someone Is Online on MSN Messenger

Check your MSN contact list to see who is online.

MSN Messenger is a free instant messaging program developed by Microsoft. This software allows users to communicate with friends, family and coworkers. MSN Messenger enables users to send messages, play games and instantly share photos with their online contacts. By looking at your MSN contact list, it's easy to tell if your contacts are online.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet connection
• MSN Messenger

Instructions

1. Launch MSN Messenger by double-clicking the icon.

2. Type in your registered user name and password. Click "Sign In" and wait for your contact list to load.

3. View your contact list, taking note of the icon to the left of each user's name. A green square indicates the user is online and able to chat. The yellow icon indicates the user is online but away from the computer. The red icon shows that the user is online but is busy. A gray icon indicates the user is offline.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if a contact is offline, you can still send the user a message. The recipient receives the message the next time she logs in to MSN Messenger.

• Contacts appearing to be offline in MSN Messenger may actually be online. Users have the option to appear to be offline while still signed in to the service.

• Users on your contact list appearing under the "Mobile" icon have MSN Messenger installed on their cell phone and can receive messages on their phone.

• Sending a message to a mobile contact via MSN Messenger sends a text message to the recipient's phone. The user may be charged a text messaging fee for the message, depending on his mobile service plan.

References

• MSN Messenger

Resources

• MSN Messenger Download