Make free video calls Make a video call
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This article, Make free video calls, was last updated on 27 May 2008 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Technology articles.
1Configure Windows Live Messenger
If you don’t want Windows Live Messenger to run every time you start Windows, go to the Windows Live Messenger menu bar and click the icon (circled).
In the drop-down menu, select Tools > Options. In the drop-down box, select General, and untick Automatically run Windows Live Messenger when I log on to Windows.
If you don’t want a news pop up window each time you use Messenger, untick Show Windows Live Today after I sign in to Messenger.
2Set up your webcam with Messenger
Now make sure the sound output (PC speakers or headphones), sound input (microphone in the webcam) and the video input (the webcam) are communicating properly.
Click the same icon that's shown in the previous step. Choose Tools > Audio and video setup.
Follow the instructions and, when prompted, choose the entries that correspond to your webcam.
You’ll be prompted to speak to make sure the microphone is picking up your voice. In the next step you’ll see the image your webcam is seeing.
This should be you! Adjust the position of the webcam until you’re centred.
3Find your friends
To find someone else using the same program, click the icon in the Messenger menu bar.
Enter their instant messaging address then click Add contact.
A request will be sent to them. When they accept, they’ll appear in your list. If they’re online at the time, it may take only seconds.
Agree with your friend when you’ll be online. In the Messenger window, right-click on the friend’s name and click Video > Start a video call to let them know you want to chat.
When they click Accept, you should see each other.
