Have you upgraded to Windows 7 or purchased a new PC with Windows 7?
If you have already upgraded to Windows 7 you'll notice that some of the functionality that came with Windows Vista or Windows XP does not come with Windows 7. Microsoft now provides email, IM, photo editing and movie making applications with similar features to our customers separate from the Windows operating system, as part of the downloadable Windows Live Essentials suite. This enables us to innovate on them rapidly and keep them fresh for the users who love them. Use the Download button on this page to get the programs that will help you communicate and share on your Windows 7 PC.
If you use...
Windows Live Essentials offers...
Outlook Express
Windows Live Mail is a great replacement for Outlook Express. Windows Live Mail allows you to view multiple email accounts (your Windows Live Hotmail and your Gmail, for example) and calendars in one program. It also includes contacts and tasks so you have all the tools you need to stay up to date, in one place.
Once you install Windows Live Mail it will walk you through the process of receiving and sending email from your favorite service(s) (Hotmail, Gmail, Comcast, etc.), just like you did with Outlook Express. Once you’re done associating your email services with Windows Live Mail, the program will download any current and stored mail that is in your account so you can access it anytime in Windows Live Mail.
If you want to transfer emails that were only saved on your PC hard drive into Windows Live Mail you can copy them to your Windows 7 PC and import them into Windows Live Mail using the Import command in the File menu.
Windows Mail
Windows Live Mail is a great replacement for Windows Mail. Windows Live Mail allows you to view multiple email accounts (your Windows Live Hotmail and your Gmail, for example) and calendars in one program. It also includes contacts and tasks so you have all the tools you need to stay up to date, in one place.
Once you install Windows Live Mail it will walk you through the process of receiving and sending email from your favorite service(s) (Hotmail, Gmail, Comcast, etc.), just like you did with Windows Mail. Once you’re done associating your email services with Windows Live Mail, the program will download any current and stored mail that is in your account so you can access it anytime in Windows Live Mail.
If you want to transfer emails that were only saved on your PC hard drive into Windows Live Mail you can copy them to your Windows 7 PC and import them into Windows Live Mail using the Import command in the File menu.
Windows Photo Gallery
Windows Live Photo Gallery includes many of the same features as Windows Photo Gallery but adds new functionality like panoramic stitch, easy posting on popular photo sharing sites, facial detection, and easy people tagging.
Windows Movie Maker
Windows Live Movie Maker allows you to create beautiful movies out of your photos and videos quickly and easily.
Windows Calendar
Windows Live Mail will find and display your calendars in the same place where you check your mail.
Windows Address Book
or
Windows Contacts
Windows Live Mail will find and display your contacts in the same place where you check your mail.
Windows Messenger
Windows Live Messenger makes it easier than ever to IM, video chat, share photos, and more -- instantly.
Thinking about upgrading to Windows 7?
If you're planning an upgrade to Windows 7 from Windows XP or Windows Vista you should know that some of the features of Windows Vista or Windows XP do not come with Windows 7. Microsoft now provides email, IM, photo editing and movie making applications with similar features to our customers separate from the Windows operating system, as part of the downloadable Windows Live Essentials suite. This enables us to innovate on these programs more rapidly to keep them fresh for the users who love them. If you download and use Windows Live Essentials on a Windows Vista PC now, it will be on your machine when you upgrade to Windows 7, so we encourage you to add the most recent versions of these programs now using the Download button on this page.
If you plan to upgrade your PC from Windows XP to Windows 7, you must perform a custom installation of Windows 7, which doesn't keep any of your files, programs or settings. If you use Outlook Express or Windows Mail and want to transfer your information to your upgraded PC you will need to back-up your files before you perform the custom upgrade, add them back to your PC after installing Windows 7 (or to your brand new Windows 7 PC), so you will be able to import those files into Windows Live Mail using the Import command in the File menu.
