Where can I find emoticons for MSN?

The current version of Messenger has no less than seventy emoticons already programmed into it, so it is by no means necessary to add any "accessory" emoticons in order to take advantage of the MSN emoticon system. The current range should be perfectly adequate for conducting an average conversation.

There is a wide range of additional MSN-supported emoticons on a variety of websites, most downloadable for free. These are often much larger, more animated, and more colourful variations of those already included in the Messenger program, although there are a number of new examples as well.

If you are a beginner, it is probably not recommended that you download these "accessory" emoticons to begin with as it can add to the confusion of trying to remember the tag for each standard emoticon.

There is a drop down menu in each conversation window, which lists up to sixty key emoticons for quick reference. Should you wish to make additions to or remove items from this listing, you can do so, leaving you with a customised menu that best suits you. This is a useful option as it means you can begin to remove the more basic items, such as smileys as you begin to memorise them, and to replace them with other more advanced items as you progress.

It is worth pointing out that it is possible to get individual custom emoticons from your conversation partner. If you see an emoticon you like and which you don't have, you can acquire it by right clicking on it and selecting the Add or Get This Emoticon option. By following a couple of simple steps and clicking OK, you will have for yourself the cloned emoticon.