Installing Yahoo!® Messenger version 8

Installing Yahoo! Messenger version is a breeze but if it's been a while since you updated or if you've never installed Yahoo! Messenger before you may want to know what it involves and what the whole process looks like... so here's a super quick run down on what to expect :)

Firstly, Yahoo Messengers default install is to C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\generally it's best to keep this as is. If you have a previous version of Yahoo! Messenger installed you may want to take a full copy of the directory just in case something goes astray. To do this try the following steps...

Hit Win Key + E (to open Explorer)
navigate your way to C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\
right click the Yahoo! folder on the left hand side
select "Copy"
now head to either your desktop or your My Documents folder
right click any blank area
select "Paste"
be patient while it copies, don't install the new version until it's completely copied across.

Installing using the Direct Download Method

Using the direct download method, installing Yahoo! Messenger is quick, simple and painless, just follow the steps outlined below...

Installing Yahoo! Messenger version 8 (v8.0.0.508 was used in this example) from the direct download .exe file (in our case it was http://download.yahoo.com/dl/msgr8/us/ymsgr800_508_us.exe )
1. download the full version of Yahoo! Messenger
2. locate the .exe file (due to version we downloaded it was called ymsgr800_508_us.exe) and double click on it to start the installation

	3. you may get a firewall alert, grant the .tmp file access...
4. the Welcome screen...	5. Accept the License Agreement which includes the Phone Out by Yahoo! Voice Terms of Service	6. check out the Messenger Privacy Policy
7. check out the Music Messenger Privacy Policy	8. select your directory (we recommend you keep the default)	9. now you're ready to install...
10. the install beings with a progress meter...	11. your system will update...	12. now you're ready to go!
13. Yahoo! Messenger should launch automatically...	14. sign-in starts...	15. watch for any firewall alerts and grant access
	16. now you're logged in and ready to start IM'ing :)

Using the Installer Method

Yahoo! offers a small installer file (398kb) which you can use to start the download and installation of Yahoo! Messenger, generally this method is ok but it does give some users grief, if you suffer from "installer issues" use the method outlined above, if not, simply follow the basic step by step process outlined below to get Yahoo! Messenger installed and running.

Installing Yahoo! Messenger via their small installer file is a little different from the direct download method, the end result is the same but how you get their differs, so pay close attention if you don't want to install the Yahoo! Toolbar, Pop-up Blocker or change your default search engine to Yahoo! Search.

1. head to http://messenger.yahoo.com/, click on the "Get it Now" button	2. you'll be transferred to the downloads page,	3. if you're running a pop-up blocker watch out for this notice
4. save the installer .exe file (in this case it's /msgr8us.exe)	5. once downloaded, then run	6. keep and eye out for any firewall alerts
7. all going well you'll see the Welcome screen	8. Make your selection carefully...	9. Make your Custom Install selections
10. Accept the License Agreement which includes the Phone Out by Yahoo! Voice Terms of Service	11. check out the Messenger Privacy Policy and Music Messenger Privacy Policy	12. Confirm you installtion, make any changes via the "back" button
13. The installation of Yahoo! Messenger begins	14. Watch out for another firewall alert	15. the installation progresses
16. Installation is complete	17. login to Yahoo! Messenger using your Yahoo! ID and password	18. sign in starts...
19.watch for any firewall alerts and grant access	20. you should see the Welcome pop-up	21. now you good to go IM'ing :)