Resurfacing Instant Messages: Part Two

A reader writes in the comments below my post on instant messages: Ok, now we know that they can be stored, how do we be sure they are not still on our computers?

That depends on the IM service, but, generally, by going into the messenger tools, it should be easy to see if you have stored messages. As I noted, standard IM programs from Yahoo!, AOL, and MSN do not automatically save instant messages; you need to change settings if you want to save IM chats. But Google Talk does save them automatically; you need to turn off the feature if you don't want them saved.

With that in mind, here's a look at how to retrieve saved instant messages on some of these popular IM programs.

Yahoo! Messenger: Instant messages are saved during each session, but deleted when you sign out of a session. To store them longer, click on Messenger > Preferences > Archive. You can click on either, "Yes, save all my messages," "Yes, save all my messages, but clear them when I sign out," or "No, do not save any of my messages." There's a "View Archive" button to click to read saved messages.

MSN Messenger: In Messenger, click on Tools > Options > Messages. At the bottom of the box you'll see "Message History." Select it, and IM chats will be recorded. When instant messages are saved, you'll find them in a listed directory and you'll be able to read them in Internet Explorer.

AOL AIM: To save your chats, select "Save" under the File menu while in the chat window. I have not been able to find a definitive answer on how to retrieve saved messages, so if any AOL AIM users know how to, please share.

Google Talk: Click Settings at the top of your Friends' list. Highlight "Chat" along the left side, then select, "Don't save chat history in my Gmail account" to disable chat history or select "Save chat history in my Gmail account" to save it. Click OK.

To take a look at past chats, click the "Chats" label in your Gmail account. A list of chats will appear. You can forward, label or delete chats just as you would email messages.

But remember, even if you've deleted instant messages on your computer, the contacts you've chatted with may have copies of your conversations on their computers.