IM Express is the web-based Java version of AIM. It's great for when you're on the go, or for when you can't install programs on a computer (such as a workplace or library computer). To access AIM Express, click [HERE]

The system requirements for AIM Express are as follows:
On a PC:
Windows 95/98/NT/2000ME
Internet Explorer 4.5 or later with newest Microsoft Virtual Machine
Netscape Communicator/Navigator 4.72 or later

On a Macintosh
MacOS 8.5+
Internet Explorer 4.5 or later with Macintosh Runtime for Java 2.2.2 or later

Other Operating Systems:
AIM Express is designed to run on other operating systems that support JDK 1.1

Basically, your browser has to be able to support Java. If you don't know whether it does, just give AIM Express a try and see what happens. Couldn't hurt! If you can't get it to work, you can use [Quick Buddy]. It still requires Java, but it has considerably less system requirements than AIM Express. It doesn't have as many features as AIM Express, but it still gets the job done.

To run AIM Express, visit [the site] and click the red "START" button. This will launch a new window, in which AIM Express will load. This may take a minute! Once the program loads, use the same screen name and password to login that you use for your full version of AIM. If you don't already have a screen name and password, [get one now]. Uncheck the "Sounds" option if you do not wish for AIM Express to run with the regular notification sounds.

Once you have logged onto AIM Express, you should see your buddy list. If you have the latest version of AIM on your computer as your regular messenger, your buddy list will automatically be available in AIM Express as well. If you do NOT have the latest version of AIM on your computer, your buddy list will not be saved on AOL's server and will not be available on AIM Express. You will have to enter your buddy's by hand to AIM Express.

AIM Express has a lot of the same features from the full version, and it functions essentially the same way. You can double-click on your buddy's screen name to start a conversation, you can add and delete users, block and warn users, etc.


Here is an image of a typical AIM Express conversation. It is much like an instant message on the full version