What's New

Starting late April 2000, children age 12 and under who live in the U.S. need a Kids Passport to use this messenger service. A Kids Passport requires the consent of a parent or guardian to use this service. If you have more than one child age 12 and under, you must give consent for each child's Passport account.

For information about Kids Passport and to sign up and give parental consent for your child, go to the Kids Passport Web site.

• Fixes for Windows 2000
• A new logo
• Support for MSN Internet Access users
• Other miscellaneous bug fixes

• Easier setup: Several features make it easier to quickly get your friends up and running on the service, including an easier setup process and the ability to search for your friends' e-mail addresses in your Windows® Address Book or the Hotmail® Member Directory and send them instructions for how to get started on the service.



• Links to news and information: Now includes news and headlines from MSN.



• Microsoft Passport authentication: You can now log on with the same sign-in name and password you use across your favorite MSN sites, as well as a variety of other sites that support Microsoft Passport.



• Message formatting: Version 2.0 enables you to customize your message fonts, colors, and styles.



• Improved Hotmail integration: The new Mail toolbar button gives you easier access to your Hotmail account as well as an up-to-date count of your unread e-mail.



• Always on Top mode: You can now choose to keep your contact list in the foreground at all times for easier access when using other programs.



• Usability improvements: There are several basic usability improvements that are based directly on your feedback, including the ability to view your current online status in the status bar as well as changes to some of the names used to designate status.



• MSN Message Center: The updated MSN.com page includes a new feature called the Message Center, which gives you a quick summary on your MSN home page of who from your list is currently online, the number of unread messages you have, and popular chats and Web Communities that are available.

• Fixed security issue