Message Service (Windows)
The message service is a system service that is part of the operating systems of the Windows family. It is used to send short messages in a computer network . It is based on NetBIOS (nowadays usually via NBT ) and is not compatible with the IPv6 protocol.
function
Since Windows NT , the message service can be called using the command line program cmd.exe . The file in which the messaging service is implemented is located in the system32 folder (% windir% \ system32 \) and is called net.exe . As of Windows Vista , the message service has been replaced by the MSG.exe program.
The program is operated via the command prompt. It receives the SEND command as the first parameter . This is followed by the name of the recipient or group of recipients of the message. The text of the message to be sent is then entered immediately.
Examples of possible entries:
| input | causes |
|---|---|
|
NET SEND Computer name "I read in Wikipedia" NET SEND / DOMAIN: Computer name "I read in Wikipedia" |
Output of the text "I read in Wikipedia" on the computer screen "Computer name" |
| NET SEND * "I'm reading Wikipedia" | Output of the text "I read in Wikipedia" on the screens of all available computers in the network |
| NET SEND 192.168.100.100 "I read in Wikipedia" | Output of the text "I'm reading in Wikipedia" on the computer screen with the internal IP address "192.168.100.100" |
The message service uses the UDP - ports 135, 137 and 138, and TCP ports 135, 139 and 445th
It is also technically possible to send messages anonymously. NetSendFaker is the best known program for this.
use
Originally the message service was intended for sending short messages in local networks. For example, a system administrator could quickly inform larger groups of users about failures or maintenance work.
Since an e-mail infrastructure is now available in most computer networks , the message service has rapidly lost its importance in this area.
Messages can be sent not only in local networks, but also over the Internet . In the past, however, this method was often used by spammers as a medium for distributing their own advertising. For this reason, Microsoft has deactivated the messaging service in Windows Server 2003 and with Service Pack 2 of Windows XP . If necessary, the service can be reactivated via the Service Control Manager .
Instructions for deactivating the service exist for older systems.
In the Windows Vista versions Business and Ultimate, as well as in Windows 2008 and Windows 7, the NET SEND command has been replaced by the MSG.exe program. The Home Basic and Home Premium versions do not contain a native messaging service.
Web links
- Microsoft Knowledge Base article on the messaging service
- The same article in German (machine translated)