Net Send is a command line utility that is used in Windows XP to send messages to other users and computers connected to the local network. In Windows Vista, the Net Send utility has been replaced by the msg.exe utility with similar functionality and syntax. Net Send will not be able to send messages from a Windows XP computer to a newer Windows computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows XP
Step 1. Open Command Prompt
The net send utility is used to send messages to other networked computers. It runs from the command line. Open Command Prompt from the Start menu or press ⊞ Win + R and type cmd.
If you are running Windows Vista / 7/8 / 8.1 / 10, go to the next section. The net send utility is not used in newer versions of Windows (starting from Vista) and has been replaced by the msg utility
Step 2. Enter the command
Enter net send and press Space. Next, you need to enter information that contains the text and direction of the message.
Step 3. Determine the recipient of the message
The message can be sent both to one user and to a group of users; this is done in several ways.
- net send name - enter the username or network name of the computer to send a message to a specific user. If the name contains a space, it is enclosed in quotation marks (for example, net send "Ivan Ivanov").
- net send * - the message will be sent to all users of the current domain or workgroup.
- net send / domain: name - the message will be sent to all users of the specified domain or workgroup.
- net send / users - the message will be sent to all users who are connected to the server.
Step 4. Enter your message text
After specifying the recipient (s), enter the message text. It must be no more than 128 characters.
For example: net send "Ivan Ivanov" Let's meet in 10 minutes
Step 5. Send your message
When you finish typing your message, press ↵ Enter to send it. The recipient will see the message in the Windows dialog box (but only if they are logged in and connected to the network).
Method 2 of 2: Windows Vista and Later
Step 1. Check if the system supports the msg command
The functionality of this command is in many ways similar to the functionality of the unused net send command. But this command only works on professional and enterprise versions of Windows. If you are using Windows Home, upgrade to Professional or Enterprise to use the msg command.
To check your Windows version, press ⊞ Win + Pause or right-click Computer and select Properties. The Windows version appears in the "Windows Edition" section
Step 2. Open a command prompt
Like net send, the msg command is run from the command line. Command Prompt starts in different ways (depending on your Windows version), or just press ⊞ Win and type cmd.
- Windows Vista / 7: Open Command Prompt from the Start Menu.
- Windows 8.1 / 10: Right-click on the Start button and select Command Prompt.
- Windows 8: Press ⊞ Win + X and select Command Prompt.
Step 3. Enter the command
Enter msg and press Space. Next, you need to enter information that contains the text and direction of the message.
Step 4. Determine the recipient of the message
Compared to net send, the msg command has additional options.
- msg username - enter the name of a specific user.
- msg session - Enter the name of a specific session.
- msg Session ID - Enter a specific session ID.
- msg @filename - Enter the name of a file that contains a list of usernames, session names, and / or session IDs. Useful for sending messages to department staff.
- msg * - the message will be sent to all users who are connected to the server.
Step 5. Specify the server whose users you want to send a message to (if you want)
If you want to send a message to a user who is connected to a different server, enter the server information after the recipient information. If no server is specified, the message will be sent to the current server.
msg * / server: server name
Step 6. Set the time limit (if you like)
You can set a time limit to specify the interval to wait for confirmation from the recipient. The temporary modifier is entered after the server information (if any).
msg * / time: seconds (e.g. 300 seconds for a five minute interval)
Step 7. Enter your message text
After entering the various options, enter your message text. Or press ↵ Enter and the system will prompt you to enter the message text on a separate line.
For example: msg @salesteam / server: EASTBRANCH / time: 600 Congratulations on the increased sales this quarter
Step 8. Send your message
To do this, press ↵ Enter. The addressee will receive it immediately.
The msg command is designed to send messages to terminal users, not just different computers connected to the same network
Step 9. Troubleshoot
When working with msg, you may encounter the following errors:
- 'msg' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. (msg is not recognized as an internal or external command, executable program, or batch file). In this case, the Windows version does not support msg. Upgrade Windows to Professional.
- Error 5 getting session names or Error 1825 getting session names. An error occurred while communicating with the recipient. You can try to fix this problem by opening the registry editor on the recipient computer (use the regedit command to do this), navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Control \ Terminal Server, and change the value of the AllowRemoteRPC parameter from 0 to 1.