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Windows Live Messenger

Stop Showing Me As Away

SUMMARY: Prevent Windows Live Messenger from changing your status to "Away" when you don't use your computer for 10 minutes.

By default, when you don't use your computer for 10 minutes, Windows Live Messenger changes your status to "Away" if it is currently "Available", letting others know you probably have left your machine.

If for various reasons you do not want others to notice this status change and always believe you are ready to chat, make the following configuration change:

1. From a Windows Live Messenger window, click the "Show Menu" button, selecting "Tools" - "Options" (see the below screenshot).


Accessing Windows Live Messenger options



2. When the "Options" dialog box appears, click "Personal" in the left pane.

3. In the right pane, underneath "Status", uncheck "Show me as 'Away' when I'm inactive for". Optionally, if you do want the status to change but want it to change for a different amount of inactivity, keep this box checked and enter the number of minutes that you want Messenger to wait before notifying others you are away.


Preventing Windows Live Messenger from always changing your status to "Away"



4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

This tip was written for Windows Live Messenger Version 2009 running on a netbook running Windows XP Home. Features, instructions, and screenshots for other versions / operating systems may vary.

Return to the Windows Live Messenger page.

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The MalekTips website was created in 1998 by Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. The page's goal is to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles. Tips are organized to be easy to find, and are presented clearly, in easy-to-understand language. MalekTips also provides information and links to public-domain, open source, freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download. < more >