3 Easy Steps to Chat with Command Prompt

Send messages from the Windows Command Prompt using the "msg" command

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: June 17, 2024 Fact Checked

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]
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Research source} 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

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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]
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Type the following command:
- msg /SERVER:DestinationPC * /TIME:60 “This is the message to be sent to a PC named DestinationPC and closes in 60 seconds.".^{[3]
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- 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]
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The message should send as a new window prompt to the other computer for the time specified.

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Question

How can I do this in Windows 7?

Community Answer

Open the properties of the file and change the compatibility to Windows XP.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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