Buzz
Net Send was a command-line tool in Windows XP that allowed users to send messages to other users and computers within a local network. On Windows Vista, Net Send was replaced by a similar tool called msg.exe, which used a different syntax and features. The Net Send command was no longer supported for sending messages from Windows XP to later versions of Windows.
Steps
On Windows XP
Open the Command Prompt. You can use the net send command to send messages to other computers on the network. This command is entered through the Command Prompt. To open the Command Prompt, go to the Start menu or press ⊞ Win+R and type "cmd".
- If you are using Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, or 10, refer to the next section. The net send command is no longer available from Windows Vista onward and has been replaced by the msg command with similar functionality.
Start the command. Type net send and then press space. This will add information at the end of the command to specify the message's content and recipient.
Identify the recipient of your message. There are several ways to target specific users or groups when sending a message:
- net send name – Type the username or computer name in the network to send the message to a specific recipient. If the username has spaces, enclose it in quotation marks (e.g., net send "Le Thao").
- net send * – This command will broadcast your message to all users in the current domain or workgroup.
- net send /domain:name - This will send the message to users within a specific workgroup or domain.
- net send /users - This command will send the message to all users currently connected to the server.
Add your message. After specifying the recipient, type the message you wish to send. Your message can be up to 128 characters long.
- For example: net send "Le Thao" 10 minutes left, see you soon.
Send the message. After composing your message, press ↵ Enter to send it. The recipient will receive the message in their Windows dialog box, provided they are logged in and connected to the network.
On Windows Vista and later versions
Check if your version of Windows supports the msg command. After the net send command was discontinued, Windows replaced it with the msg command, which offers many similar functions. Unfortunately, the msg command is only available in the Professional and Enterprise versions of Windows. If you are using the Home version, you will need to upgrade to either Professional or Enterprise to access the msg command.
- To check your current Windows version, press ⊞ Win+Pause or right-click "Computer" and select "Properties". Your version will be displayed under "Windows edition".
Open Command Prompt. Similar to the net send command, the msg command is executed from the Command Prompt. You can press ⊞ Win and type "cmd" to open the program, or use other methods depending on your current version of Windows.
- For Windows 7 and Vista – Open Command Prompt from the Start menu.
- For Windows 8.1 and 10 – Right-click the Start button and select "Command Prompt".
- For Windows 8 – Press ⊞ Win+X and choose "Command Prompt".
Begin the command. Type msg and then press Space. Then append the destination information and the message content to the end of the command.
Identify the recipient of your message. The msg command offers some different options compared to the old net send command:
- msg username – Enter the username in the network to send a message to that specific user.
- msg session – Enter a specific session name to send the message to that session.
- msg sessionID – Enter the session number to target a specific session for the message.
- msg @filename – Enter the name of a file containing a list of usernames, session names, and/or session numbers you wish to send messages to. This is suitable for department lists.
- msg * – This command will send the message to all users currently on the server.
Specify the server of the recipient (optional). If you wish to send a message to someone on a different server, add the server information after the recipient details. If no server is specified, the message will be sent to the current server.
- msg * /server:servername
Set a time limit (optional). You can add a time limit in seconds for the displayed information. The time setting is added after the server information (if applicable).
- msg * /time:seconds (For example, to set a time limit of 5 minutes, enter 300 seconds.)
Add your message. Once all options are set, you can append your message content at the end of the command. Alternatively, press ↵ Enter without typing a message, and the system will prompt you to enter the message content on a new line.
- Example: msg @salesteam /server:EASTBRANCH /time:600 Congratulations to everyone for achieving the target!
Send the message. Press ↵ Enter to send the message. The other user will receive it immediately.
- The msg command is designed to send messages to terminal users, not necessarily to other Windows computers on the same network.
Troubleshooting. Here are some common errors you might encounter when using the msg command:
- 'msg' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file – If you see this message, it means your version of Windows does not support the msg command. You will need to upgrade to the Professional version to execute this command.
- Error 5 getting session names or Error 1825 getting session names – There is an issue sending the message. Some users have resolved this by opening the Registry Editor on the recipient’s computer (run "regedit" to open it), navigating to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server", and changing "AllowRemoteRPC" from "0" to "1".
