How to Use a Whiteboard in Windows Live Messenger

If you have Windows Live Messenger 2009 or earlier -- and Windows XP installed -- you have access to a feature that enables you and multiple friends to draw on the same screen simultaneously. This feature is called the Windows Live Messenger Whiteboard. With it, you can collaborate on a group drawing, or simply write handwritten messages, rather than typing them. This feature is installed and enabled by default.

Things You'll Need

• Windows XP
• Windows Live Messenger 2009 or earlier

Instructions

1. Launch Windows Live Messenger and sign in. Double-click the name of the contact with whom you would like to start a whiteboard session. A new instant message session opens.

2. Click the "Activities" tab at the top of the instant message window, and select "Whiteboard." The other person receives a Whiteboard invitation and must accept it to continue.

3. Click the "Unblock" button if a Windows Firewall alert appears. A white screen appears.

4. Click any color at the bottom of the screen, and then click in the white area of the window to begin drawing. The other person can see what you draw, and add designs of their own.

5. Close the window to end the Whiteboard session.

Tips & Warnings

• If you receive an error message that says the other person does not have Whiteboard installed when attempting to start a session, make sure that you both have the same version of Windows Live Messenger installed. The latest versions of Windows Live Messenger do not include the Whiteboard feature, but Windows Live Messenger 2009 does. Most computers must also have Windows Messenger installed, which is a feature included with Windows XP only.

References

• MSN/Windows Messenger Resources: Solve a Messenger Problem
• MSN/Windows Messenger Resources: MSN Messenger 5 FAQ
• Microsoft: Remote Assistance, Application Sharing or Whiteboard Session Does Not Start

Resources

• Microsoft: Windows Live Messenger