3 Easy Steps to Chat with Command Prompt

PDF download Download Article
Send messages from the Windows Command Prompt using the "msg" command
PDF download Download Article

If you're using the Pro or Enterprise version of Windows 8, 10, or 11, you can use the MSG command at the prompt to chat with anyone on the network. [1] As long as you know the name of the computer the other person is using, you can make any message pop up on their computer using CMD. This wikiHow article teaches you how to chat with from the Windows command prompt on your PC.

Things You Should Know

  • The person you're chatting with must be on a computer that's on the same network as you.
  • Open Command Prompt and enter 'msg /SERVER:DestinationPC * TIME:60 "Message'".
  • The MSG command is not available on Home editions of Windows.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. Launch Command Prompt . You can find it by pressing the Windows key and typing "cmd." A search window will appear with the Command Prompt app as the first search result. Click that, and Command Prompt will open. [2]
    • msg /SERVER:DestinationPC * /TIME:60 “This is the message to be sent to a PC named DestinationPC and closes in 60 seconds." . [3]
    • Replace "DestinationPC" with the name of the PC you're trying to send the chat to ( check your local network for the name of this computer if you don't know it). Replace the value for "Time" to change how long the message will appear on their screen (60 means 60 seconds). Finally, replace the message inside the quotes with the message you want to send. [4]
    Advertisement
  3. The message should send as a new window prompt to the other computer for the time specified.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I do this in Windows 7?
    Community Answer
    Open the properties of the file and change the compatibility to Windows XP.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 13
  • Question
    Can I do this in Windows 10?
    Community Answer
    No; however, if you have Windows 10 Professional or Ultimate, you can use the MSG command instead. NET SEND is only for Windows XP and earlier, as the screenshots show.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 25
  • Question
    Does this require the internet?
    Community Answer
    It depends. There are two ways to send a message. The first is to an internet computer (for example, computer.example.com), which does require internet (and some networking skills). The second is to send it to a network computer (000.000.0.00), which requires the network.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 18
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If this method doesn't work for you, there may be restrictions set on the computers that you can't change. You can use another chatting system, like Discord to chat in a web browser.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Navigate to a Different Folder in the Command Prompt
      How to
      Format a USB Using CMD (Command Prompt)
      How to
      Change a Windows Password Using Command Prompt
      How to
      Reboot from Command Prompt on Windows
      How to
      Use Windows Command Prompt to Run a Python File
      How to
      Run a Windows Batch File from the Command Line (CMD)
      How to
      Open a Folder in Command Prompt (CMD)
      How to
      Add Users from CMD
      3 Ways to Open Command Prompt with Keyboard on Windows
      5 Simple Ways to Open the Command Prompt in Windows
      How to
      Watch Star Wars via Telnet: Windows CMD & Mac Terminal
      How to
      Copy Files in Command Prompt
      How to
      Use Net Send
      How to
      Merge Multiple Text Files in Command Prompt, Notepad, & More
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/remote/terminal-server-commands-msg
      2. ↑ https://grok.lsu.edu/article.aspx?articleid=13578
      3. ↑ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/msg
      4. ↑ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/msg

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 364,246 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement