From the Messenger main window or from an open conversation, click Actions > Send E-mail.
(Conditional) If you selected Send E-mail from the main window, select the name of the person you want to send an email message to, then click OK.
or
Double-click the name of the person you want to send an email message to.
or
Click Find User, select Use this User ID, type the user ID of the person, then click Finish.
or
Click Find User, select Search for a user, type all or part of the name you are looking for, then click Next. Select the user you want from the Search Results list, click Add to my Contact List if desired, then click Finish.
or
Click Find User to search for a person. Click Advanced, click begins with, contains, or equals from the drop-down list next to a field, type the information you are looking for in the field, then click Next. Select the user you want from the Search Results list, click Add to my Contact List if desired, then click Finish.
When the email item opens, complete the message and click Send on the Toolbar.
If you want to be prompted to send an email each time you try to send an instant message to someone who is offline, click Tools > Options, select Message, ensure that Send e-mail when I start a message to an offline contact is selected, then click OK.