Windows 7 - Message - Send to Local PC on LAN in Windows 7 and Vista

JamesAndersonJr

How to Send Local Messages to Computers on LAN in Windows 7 and Vista

This short, two-step tutorial shows you how easy it is to send messages to other computers on your LAN. This method can also be used to send messages to multiple computers on the LAN at once with just a little bit of modification.

STEP 1 - PICKING A DESTINATION:

To send a popup message to a computer on your local area network, first identify the computers name you want to send the message to by logging into your router and checking the device list or wherever the computers on your network are listed within your routers configuration pages. Pick one or more computer(s) from the list to send the message to.

STEP 2 - SENDING THE MESSAGE:

Both Windows Vista and Windows 7 come prepackaged with a command for sending messages to other local area network users. It is called ‘msg’. To use it, use the syntax below.

Syntax:

C:\Windows\System32>msg /SERVER:[type computer name here] * /TIME:[type amount of time (in seconds) to display message before it’s automatically closed] “[type the message you want to send here]”

Example 1:

C:\Windows\System32>msg /SERVER:Jeffs-PC * /TIME:300 “Hi Jeff! The server will be shutting down at 11:45 PM tonight for security and maintenance purposes. Please be sure to finish and save all of your work by then. Thanks –James”

That’s really all there is to it. Be sure to use the help command included with the 'msg' command to see more options and features you may use, and practice with sending messages to your own PC until you feel more confident and comfortable with using the command to send important, real messages to others.

Related Tutorials

How to Send a Message to Another User in Vista and Windows 7

Maguscreed · 10-18-2011

Is there a way to make the message stay until the user interacts with it?

JamesAndersonJr · 10-18-2011

Yes, with the "/W" switch. Refer to the help file (type: msg /?) for more options. Also, you must remove the "Time:" setting.

jeepmann4x4 · 10-19-2011

All I get is a black box that quickly pops up then gone just as fast.

JamesAndersonJr · 10-21-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by jeepmann4x4

All I get is a black box that quickly pops up then gone just as fast.

This behavior is typical on restricted networks. Please, check your firewall settings and try again. If you cannot access these settings, ask your IT Administrator to do it for you.

-James

jeepmann4x4 · 10-24-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by JamesAndersonJr

Quote: Originally Posted by jeepmann4x4

All I get is a black box that quickly pops up then gone just as fast.

This behavior is typical on restricted networks. Please, check your firewall settings and try again. If you cannot access these settings, ask your IT Administrator to do it for you.

-James

It is just a Home Network. What firewall setting? (windows Firewall)? I am the Admin.
Its not a Big deal just wanted to use this to mess with the kids and gf....lol

bigblocktowncar · 11-30-2011

so this really isn't an alternative to an instant messaging program is it?

Brink · 12-01-2011

Hello bigblocktowncar,

Sorry, but no.

jeepmann4x4 · 12-01-2011

Quote: Originally Posted by jeepmann4x4

Quote: Originally Posted by JamesAndersonJr

Quote: Originally Posted by jeepmann4x4

All I get is a black box that quickly pops up then gone just as fast.

This behavior is typical on restricted networks. Please, check your firewall settings and try again. If you cannot access these settings, ask your IT Administrator to do it for you.

-James

It is just a Home Network. What firewall setting? (windows Firewall)? I am the Admin.
Its not a Big deal just wanted to use this to mess with the kids and gf....lol

Bumping my last post...

Barman58 · 12-01-2011

As an alternative ( a GUI Front end for netsend), take a look here ....

Net Send LAN messenger for Windows 7. Free programs for instant messaging within LAN

May be what you are looking for

Windows 7 - Message - Send to Local PC on LAN in Windows 7 and Vista

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