Key Requirements for a Windows Live Messenger Activity

1. Download the Activity Software Development Kit (SDK) from MSDN.
   
2. Develop your Activity and perform pre-review compliance testing of the application, as specified in the SDK.
   
3. Submit your Activity for final review at http://gallery.live.com/ before it is enabled for use by Messenger users.
   
4. Activity is reviewed based on features and review requirements.
   
5. Windows Live notifies you when the Activity is enabled for use within Messenger.
   

For more information about requirements for submittal, please see the following topics.

• Windows Live Messenger Activity Process Overview
  
• Testing Overview
  
• Submitting Pre-compliance Testing Results
  

• Request permission for using restricted features, such as hosting ActiveX® controls, getting the user's IP address, performing Microsoft .NET Passport authentication, or other restricted features.
  
• Notify the user about any user information you are collecting and how it is used, such as getting the user's IP address or intercepting chat messages.
  

For more information about requirements for special permissions, see Requesting Usage of Special Permissions.

• Provide a Help link within the application.
  
• Sign ActiveX controls and submit testing instructions for the case in which the user does not install the control.
  
• Document any additional software that is required to be installed. If additional software is required, you must request permission. For example, anything from your own custom-developed software to Windows Media® Player is considered additional software.
  

For more information about these additional requirements, see Additional Activity API Development Requirements.

Contact developer support if you have any questions about development. For more information, see Windows Live Messenger Activity API Support.