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Can I log into to two MSN Instant Messenger accounts at the same time?

Question:

Can I log into to two MSN Instant Messenger accounts at the same time? I
want to be able to chat using two IDs simultaneously.

The answer is both no and yes.

MSN Instant Messenger, now called Windows Live Messenger, is designed to
support only one account at a time. That means if you login to a second
account, you have to log out of the first.

But there are a couple of tricks that, while not elegant, can work.

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Certainly if you have two computers you can login using different MSN IM
accounts on each. That’s easy, but probably not what you were really looking
for.

There are several tricks you can try, though, that I think will get you
there.

Windows versus MSN Instant Messenger Windows Instant
Messenger, the IM program that comes installed with Windows XP is not the same
as MSN Instant Messenger. However, even though they have different feature
sets, they talk to the same instant messaging service. (You can read more about
the
difference between all the messengers here
.) So you can run Windows Instant
Messenger and MSN Instant Messenger side by side, and login to different
accounts on each.

MSN Web Messenger MSN provides a web-based version of their
instant messaging client at http://webmessenger.msn.com/. You can login to one account using
Web Messenger, and login to a different one using your IM client software of
choice.

“Trillian allows you to login to multiple accounts
simultaneously using separate identities.”

Other Clients There are other instant messaging client
programs out there that work with MSN Instant Messenger. Specifically, you
could install programs like Pidgin
(formerly known as Gaim) or Trillian
as additional IM clients, and log into separate accounts using each.

Other Clients, Part II Trillian allows you to login to
multiple accounts simultaneously using separate identities. So in a sense, you
can do exactly what you’re looking for from a single application. As I write
this, my copy of Trillian is logged into two separate MSN Instant Messenger
accounts, and I can IM myself between the two. Other IM clients might also
offer this feature.

So there you have it. You could log into at least different IM accounts at
once using the different approaches I’ve listed here, or a virtually unlimited
number of accounts using programs that support it, such as Trillian.

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18 comments on “Can I log into to two MSN Instant Messenger accounts at the same time?”

  1. A program called Messenger Plus (http://www.msgpluslive.net/) allows this. The feature is called Polygamy and it allows multiple MSNs (or windows live messengers) to run at the same time on the same computer. This is an UN-official patch/add-on and it has an optional ad-support which helps the programmer to keep it in development (you choose ads or not at install). There are also many other interesting features in the programs such as tabbed chats which may be liked.
    To run multiple MSNs just run the program again (click the shortcut) and another sign in window will come up allowing you to sign in with a different account.

    Reply
  2. My wife bought a computer for herself and we want to know how to manage a second computer. Do we have to get her a separate e-mail address and can we both work on the internet at the same time and do we need to get a second service provider?

    Reply
  3. Messenger 9 will allow you to log into 2 PC’s from the same account, how this will work, im not sure, but its a feature beng tested at present, but doesnt work on the current beta

    Microsoft also allows you to link 2 accounts through hotmail, again how this works Im usure, but its an option from your inbox

    Reply
  4. with the latest version of windows live messenger 2009 (Build 14.0.8050.1202) there is an option in the tools menu for what to do in the event that your account is accessed from another location. it gives you the option to either log you out of your session when you log on somewhere else or to keep you logged in at multiple locations and notify you of connections to your account.

    Reply
  5. hi i cant understand this is this program free … i rember i had an msn version and when i keep pressing they keep on pop up .. whir that version i could sign in whit 10 emails or more can you tell me the name of the version plsss

    Reply
  6. Just go to meebo.com this is a website were you can log into MSN accounts, Myspace IM, Yahoo Im, etc. All thses sources at the same time, having only one contact list.

    Reply
  7. i kno how to log into multiple accounts at the same time
    u must have Windows Plus!
    go to Windows Plus!

    go to Windows Plus! features
    then
    Preferences
    then
    Cusomize
    then
    Multiple accounts

    Reply
  8. As Louise said, Messenger (not windows) Plus is an option.
    There are more options like this: Messpatch, poligamy, stuffPlug, etc. However, some of these may be against MSN policies. You can find more information at Mess.be
    Have care when installing Messenger Plus, since by default it comes bundled with advertizing software. It has a CLEAR option not to install it, but you have to select not to do it.

    Reply
  9. HI,

    i USED MY FRIEND COMPUTER AND AFTER FORGOT TO SIGNOUT,
    AFTER HE SEND ME A MESSAGE THAT i MAY USE MY MSN ACCOUNT IN TWO COMPUTER, i MISTAKENLY CHECED “YES”
    AND HE CHANGE MY PICTURE AND LEFT SOME DIRTY NOTES ON MY MESSENGER NOW HOW CAN i CHANGE TO JUST ONE COMPUTER, i HAVE ALREADY CHANGED MY PASSWORD

    Reply
  10. be careful tho with Meebo Notifier autostart options (right click Meebo Notifier icon in taskbar, Preferences…) and if you are on a hotdesk (public, used by more than one user) pc, you should probably disselect all startup options.
    I caried on reading other posts – they all lack in flexibility I found with Meebo – most need admin rights to install for instance. Meebo Notifier DOES NOT.

    Reply

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