Share files, documents, and pictures
Did you know that you can use Windows Messenger for more than sending instant messages? In addition to communicating in real time with your online contacts, you can send files you want to share—including documents, photos, and video clips.
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Sharing a file
You can share a file using Windows Messenger in two different ways.
To drag the file:
1. | Open the folder where the file is stored. |
2. | Drag the file to an open Conversation window in Windows Messenger. A message appears, telling you that Windows Messenger is waiting for your contact to accept the file. 
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3. | After your contact clicks Accept, the file is sent. A message appears in the Conversation window telling you that the transfer is complete. |
To use the Send a File or Photo link:
1. | In Windows Messenger, double-click the name of the contact you want to send the file or photo to (the contact must be online in order to receive the item through a Conversation window). |
2. |
Click Send a File or Photo on the right side of the Conversation window.
The Send a File dialog box appears so that you can open the folder you need and select the file to send.
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3. |
Select the file, and click Open. A message is sent to your contact, asking for permission to send the file. When your contact clicks Accept, the message is sent. |
Tip: With Windows Messenger, you can send all sorts of files. Before you send a file, however, make sure that it is virus-free. For more information about security in Windows Messenger, see 10 tips for safer instant messaging and 5 steps to help avoid instant message viruses.
You can send a file only when you are in a one-on-one conversation; close any group conversations in Windows Messenger before attempting to send a file.
If you want to view all the files you've received using Windows Messenger at once, on the File menu, click Open Received Files.
Receiving a file
To receive a file from someone else:
1. | When someone sends you a file using Windows Messenger, a prompt appears, asking you to accept or decline the file. |
2. | Click Accept to begin the transfer. 
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3. | When the transfer is complete, a message appears telling you where the file is stored and providing the link so that you can open it immediately. |
Change where your Received Files are saved
To change the location where Windows Messenger saves the files you receive:
1. |
On the Tools menu in the Windows Messenger window, click Options, and then click the Preferences tab.
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2. |
In the File Transfer area, click Browse, and choose the folder you want to save your files to. Click OK.
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Tip: In addition to sharing files, documents, and photos with your Windows Messenger contacts, you can work side-by-side in shared applications and get help in real time.
For more information
Watch the video Share Photos, Documents, Applications, and More to see a demonstration of sending files in Windows Messenger. Watching the video requires that you have Windows Media Player.
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