Using AIM on Windows
Windows is the most popular computer platform and, not surprisingly, the most popular platform for AIM as well. If you've installed the latest AIM software for Windows, you have access to all the newest features. Learn more from the questions and answers below.
More Windows:
AIM |
AIM.com |
AIM, AOL & CompuServe |
AIM Expressions |
AIM Talk |
AIM Pro |
Automatic Operations |
Buddy Alerts |
Buddy Icons |
Buddy List |
Chat |
Connections |
Email |
File Transfers |
Games |
"I'm Away" Message |
Instant Messages |
News Ticker |
Others |
Preferences |
Privacy |
Screen Name Linking |
Sounds |
URLs |
Warnings |
Video IM
FAQ about Instant Messages
Q: Why can't I send an instant message to one of my friends? AIM displays a message indicating that my friend is using unsupported software.
A: The person is probably using an old version of the Macintosh AOL software. AOL's Macintosh users must use AOL 3.0 (or later) to send instant messages to AIM users. Ask the AOL user to upgrade to the latest version of AOL at Keyword: UPGRADE. The upgrade is free to the AOL user (not including any telephone charges).
Q: Why can't I send an instant message to someone I've blocked in my Buddy List?
A: This is an intentional feature of the AIM software. If you want to send a message to a user you have blocked, remove the block.
Q: What can I do about someone I don't know who keeps sending me messages?
A: If you don't want to receive messages from the user, you can:
• Add the user to your Block List under the Privacy Preference.
• Warn the user by clicking Warn on the Instant Message window or Chat Invitation window from the user. (See Warn topic.)
• Warn the user by clicking Warn on the Instant Message window or Chat Invitation window from the user. (See Warn topic.)
Q: My Instant Message window is taking up the entire screen (seems to always be maximized).
A: Although the window appears to be maximized, it probably has just been sized very big instead of being actually maximized. Because it is not technically maximized, the way to fix it is different than if it were maximized. Take the following steps:
1.) At the top-right of the window, there are three buttons. The left one is Minimize and the right one is Close. The middle one will either be Maximize or Restore. If the middle button currently displays the word "Restore" when you move the mouse over it, then click the button once. If the middle button currently displays the word "Maximize" over it, then do not click the button.
2.) Click on one of the sides or corners of the window and drag your mouse toward the center of the screen to make the window smaller.
2.) Click on one of the sides or corners of the window and drag your mouse toward the center of the screen to make the window smaller.
Q: How can I insert a picture or sound in an IM without using the YGP feature?
A: Once you are in a Direct IM session, press the F10 key or choose "Sound" from the Insert menu. To begin a Direct IM session without activating YGP, choose "Open Direct IM Connection" from the People menu.