Downloading Windows Live Essentials
So Microsoft removed these programs from Windows 7-but didn't get rid of the programs altogether. Instead, Microsoft now offers these applications for free download as part of the new Windows Live Essentials program. As part of this program, the names of the programs have been changed (to include "Windows Live" in the title), and a few new programs have been made available.
Here's what you can download-for free:
- Windows Live Family Safety, for monitoring and controlling your children's Internet access
- Windows Live Mail, for sending and receiving email
- Windows Live Messenger, for instant messaging
- Windows Live Movie Maker, for editing digital movies
- Windows Live Photo Gallery, for viewing, organizing, and editing digital photos
- Windows Live Toolbar, for searching the Web (using Windows Live Search) directly from your web browser
- Windows Live Writer, for creating blog posts on Blogger, Wordpress, TypePad, and other blogging services
Windows Live Essentials is just one part of Microsoft's larger Windows Live family of websites, which include Hotmail email,Office Live tools, and the Bing search engine.
This is probably a good solution for all involved. Competing software publishers don't face unfair competition by having similar apps included as part of the default Windows installation. Users can still get the free programs by downloading them. And users aren't forced to install all these programs; you can save hard disk space by only downloading the programs you need.
To download and install any or all of these applications, follow these steps:
- Point your web browser to download.live.com.
- Click the Download button.
- When you see the File Download dialog box, click Run.
- If you see a User Account Control prompt, click Yes.
- You now see the Windows Live window. Check those applications you want to install.
- Click Install to begin the download and installation.