How to Set Up Instant Messenger

There are several different types of instant messenger application available on the Internet, the big three being Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger. All three are available for free and are very easy to install. You will need to sign up for an account before you can sign in to your chosen messenger application and begin using its features. Signing up for an account and installing the software should only take a few minutes.

Instructions

Set Up Windows Live Messenger

1. Go to the Windows Live Messenger website and click "Download Now."

2. Save the EXE file to your computer desktop.

3. Double click the EXE file when the download is complete.

4. Follow the on-screen installation instructions. Choose a disk to install the application and agree to the terms of use.

5. Choose to run Windows Live Messenger at the end of the installation process.

6. Start Internet Explorer and go to the Hotmail website (see Resources).

7. Click "Sign Up" at the bottom of the screen.

8. Complete the form to set up a Hotmail account.

9. Use your Hotmail email and password to sign in to Windows Live Messenger.

Set Up Yahoo! Messenger

1. Go to the Yahoo! Messenger website and click "Download Now."

2. Save the EXE file to your computer's desktop.

3. Double click the EXE file when the download is complete.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the application. Choose to run Yahoo! Messenger at the end of the installation process.

5. Start Internet Explorer and go to the Yahoo! Mail site.

6. Click "Sign Up" in the bottom right of the page.

7. Complete the form to create your Yahoo! ID. Click "Create My Account" when you are finished.

8. Use your Yahoo! ID to sign in to Yahoo! Messenger.

Set Up AOL Instant Messenger

1. Go to the Aol Instant Messenger website and click "Download AIM."

2. Save the EXE file to your desktop.

3. Double click the EXE file to run the installation program. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose to run the AOL Instant Messenger when the install is complete.

4. Sign in to AOL Instant Messenger using an Aol ID or Facebook username.

References

• Tech FAQ: How To Install Yahoo! Messenger
• AIM: About

Resources

• Windows Live Messenger: Download
• Hotmail: Home
• Yahoo! Messenger: Download
• Yahoo! Mail: Home
• Aol Instant Messenger: Home