Windows: Enable NET SEND Commands

NET SEND commands haven’t worked since Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2. XP SP 2 disabled the Messenger Service. Attempting to use the NET SEND command might throw you an error that says:

An error occurred while sending a message to Computer Name/Username.
The message alias could not be found on the network.
More help is available by typing NET HELPMSG 2273.

Use these steps to enable NET SEND commands again.

Windows XP

1. Right-click “My Computer“, and click “Manage“.
2. Click the plus sign next to Services and Applications, and then click Services.
3. Double-click “Messenger“.
4. Click the “General” tab and select “Automatic” from the Startup type list, and then click “Apply“.
5. Under Service status, click “Start“, and click “OK“.
6. Click “OK“, then “OK” again.

Be sure to perform these steps on both the sending computer and the receiving computer.

Windows 10, 8, 7, & Vista

For Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista users, the Business, Professional, Ultimate or Enterprise versions utilize MSG.exe commands. There is however, a script available for other versions of Windows.