Command: How to Use Net Send

This updated guide examines Command: How to Use Net Send and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 2:

Windows XP

1. Open the Command Prompt. You can use thenet sendcommand to send messages to other computers on your network. The command is used through the Command Prompt. You can open the Command Prompt from the Start menu or by pressing?Win+Rand typing "cmd".
   • If you are using Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, or 10, see the next section. Thenet sendcommand was discontinued starting with Windows Vista, and replaced with a similarmsgcommand.
2. Start the command. Typenet sendand pressspace. You'll be adding information to the end of the command to specify where the message goes and what it says.
3. Define who you are sending the message to. There are several different ways you can address the message to someone specific or to an entire group:^[1]
   • net sendname- You can enter a username or computer name on your network to send the message to someone specific. If there is a space in the name, surround the name in quotes (e.g.net send "John Doe").
   • net send *- This will send the message to all of the users on your current domain or workgroup.
   • net send /domain:name- This will send the message to everyone in the specified domain or workgroup.
   • net send /users- This will send the message to all of the users currently connected to the server.
4. Add the message. Type out the message that you want to send after you've specified the recipient(s). Your message can be as many as 128 characters.
   • For example -net send "John Doe" Let's meet up in 10 minutes.
5. Send the message. Once you're finished typing the message, press?Enterto send it. The recipient will receive the message in a Windows dialog box, as long as they are logged in and connected to the network.

Method 2of 2:

Windows Vista and Later

1. Check if your version of Windows supports themsgcommand. Themsgcommand replaces a lot of the functionality of the discontinuednet sendcommand. Unfortunately, themsgcommand is limited to the Professional and Enterprise editions of Windows. If you are using a Home edition, you'll need to upgrade to Professional or Enterprise to use themsgcommand.^[2]
   • You can see what version of Windows you're running by pressing?Win+Pause, or by right-clicking "Computer" and selecting "Properties". Your version of Windows will be listed under the "Windows edition" section.
2. Open the Command Prompt. Likenet send, themsgcommand is run from the Command Prompt. There are several ways you can open it, depending on the version of Windows you are using, or you can press?Winand type "cmd".
   • Windows Vista and 7 - Open the Command Prompt from the Start menu.
   • Windows 8.1, and 10 - Right-click the Start button and select "Command Prompt".
   • Windows 8 - Press?Win+Xand select "Command Prompt".
3. Start the command. Typemsgand pressSpace. You'll be adding routing information as well as the message itself to the end of the command.
4. Define who you are sending the message to. Themsgcommand has some different routing options than the oldnet sendcommand:^[3]
   • msgusername- Enter a username on your network to send a message to that user.
   • msgsession- Enter the name of a specific session that you want to send the message to.
   • msgsessionID- Enter the number of the specific session that you want to send the message to.
   • msg @filename- Enter the name of the file that contains a list of usernames, sessions, and/or session IDs that you want to send the message to. Useful for department lists.
   • msg *- This will send the message to everyone on the server.
5. Define the server you want to check for recipients on (optional). If you want to send the message to someone on a different server, enter the server information after the recipient information. If you don't specify a server, the message will be sent on the current server.
   • msg * /server:servername
6. Set a time limit (optional). You can add a time limit to your message if it is time sensitive. The time is indicated in seconds. The time limit modifier comes after the server information (if present).
   • msg * /time:seconds(e.g. 300 seconds for a five minute time limit)
7. Add your message. Once you've set all of your options, you can add your message to the end of the command. You can also press?Enterwithout entering a message, and you'll be prompted to type it on a separate line.
   • For examplemsg @salesteam /server:EASTBRANCH /time:600 Congrats everyone on exceeding your sales goal this quarter!
8. Send the message. Press?Enterto send the message. The other users should receive it immediately.
   • Themsgcommand is designed to send messages to terminal users, not necessarily to different Windows computers on the same network.
9. Troubleshoot errors. There are a couple of different errors you may encounter when using themsgcommand:^[4]
   • 'msg' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.- If you receive this message, you are not running a version of Windows that supportsmsg. You'll need to upgrade to the Professional edition to access the command.
   • Error 5 getting session namesorError 1825 getting session names- There was a problem communicating with the recipient. Some users have fixed this problem by opening the Registry Editor on the recipient's computer (Run "regedit" to open it), navigating to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlTerminal Server", and changing "AllowRemoteRPC" from "0" to "1".