Net Send is a feature on Windows that can be used to send short text messages over network through command line. Messages can be sent to other computers, PC users or just messaging names on the computer network. However, they can only be sent to a name that is on the network and is also online. This means that the user must be logged on and the messenger service must be running in order to receive the net send message. The benefit of using this feature is that you can be sure that all the users received the message because most users do not know how to block them. To use Net Send, there is no need for you to download any special programme for it to work.
Here’s how to use Net Send
- Click the ‘Start’ button.
- Select ‘Run’.
- Type in ‘cmd’ and press ‘Enter’. A black screen of cmd.exe will appear.
- Type ‘Net Send’ then enter the name of a user or the name of a computer. If you type the computer name, make sure it is exactly as defined in the properties of the network tab found in the computer System screen. To find it, go to My Computer, then select Properties and then Computer Name.
- Type the message you wish to send.
Whenever a message is received from other Windows systems, they are displayed in a small pop-up message box.
In order to send messages using Net Send, the Messenger service must be in the start mode. If it is not started, the feature will not work. To start Messenger service:
- Right click your mouse on the My Computer icon on your desktop.
- Go to ‘Manage’.
- Select ‘Services’. Look for ‘Messenger’ in the panel on the right and select it.
Another way to start Messenger services is:
- Click the ‘Start’ button.
- Click ‘Run’.
- Type in ‘services.msc’.
- Press ‘Enter’ and look for the Messenger service.
Tips and warnings
Net Send can be used to send messages but cannot receive messages. To receive Net Send messages, you must have software for that purpose.
Whenever you use Net Send to send a message to all the systems in a workgroup or domain, it will be received by all the recipients and also your computer that sent the message.
When you are sending a messenger to another computer, make sure you type in the name of the computer correctly. Also be certain that the computer you are sending the message to is logged onto the network or else the message will disappear because the recipient is not available to receive it.
Messages can only contain a maximum of 128 characters.
Make sure you are aware of the users on the network, especially when sending messages to all the users on the network. You do not want to reveal information to people you do not know.
