Windows 7 / Getting Started

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Downloading New Applications from Windows Live Essentials

Let's talk a bit about the applications that come bundled with Windows. In the early days of computer operating systems (I am talking DOS here, for you old-timers), the only thing you got when you installed an operating system was the operating system itself; in the DOS days, you didn't even get a graphical user interface. Over the years, however, Microsoft began to bundle more and more auxiliary utilities and applications with the OS, from a basic text editor (Notepad) to a calculator to a web browser to a photo editing program.

It's difficult to argue that a photo editing program is a core component of the operating system. It's not. It is convenient to users who now don't have to purchase and install a separate photo editing program. That's fine and dandy, but a bit damaging to those competing companies that are attempting to make money from selling photo editing software. It's downright non-competitive, in many eyes.

Some of those eyes are legal eyes, and as noted previously, Microsoft has taken a lot of flak for trying to dominate new markets by including noncore applications in the Windows operating system. Microsoft responds to those complaints in Windows 7 by unbundling some of these applications.

This unbundling is good for competing software companies, but not necessarily good for users, who now have to go out and purchase programs that they used to get for free in previous versions of Windows. Except that you can still get them for free-you just have to download them manually.

What's Not There Anymore

So what applications did Microsoft unbundle from Windows 7? Here's the list; these are all programs that used to be installed automatically in previous versions of Windows, but are no longer included as part of the installation routine:

• Windows Mail (email)
• Windows Messenger (instant messaging)
• Windows Movie Maker (video editing)
• Windows Photo Gallery (photo editing and organization)

If you're used to using these programs, you won't find them in Windows 7-at least, not by default.

Note

As noted previously, Internet Explorer is also unbundled in European versions of Windows but still included as part of the U.S. package.

Tip

While Microsoft removed these applications from Windows 7, some PC manufacturers may still install the new versions of these programs themselves-so don't be surprised if these programs are still on the Start menu of some new computers.