To set up AIM, first add any new buddies to your contact list. Any buddies currently online will be at the top of the application window. If you and your buddy have a microphone, you can have a voice chat of reasonably clear quality. AIM has a stock and news ticker, either of which can be easily turned off if the user prefers, but banner ads at the top and bottom of the AIM window won't go away. MSN Messenger checks only for e-mail at hotmail, its own email service.
Users have the option of displaying a Web search window and their online status.
MSN Messenger is integrated with a number of Microsoft Office applications, most notably Outlook. MSN Messenger is similar to AIM in its simplicity and features. It will call a cell phone or pager, or connect to any other PC, free, if both are equipped with a microphone. If your PC is connecting to a device other than another computer, there is a fee. Like AIM, users can share files or set up a connection to play games if both parties have the game on their machines.