Windows Live Components

The following chart lists functions that are enabled by the Windows Live services and clients as of Dec. 2009. Windows Live services are accessible through any Web browser, although functionality may differ, with Internet Explorer (IE) 7 and IE8 users often getting more features or a better experience. Most of the Windows Live clients are packaged together in a single download and installation package called Windows Live Essentials. These clients offer offline functionality when users are disconnected from the Internet and require Windows XP or later, except for Windows Live Movie Maker, which requires Windows Vista or later. The Sync client is not part of Essentials and is solely used to enable computers to synchronize files and folders through the Sync service; it is available for Windows XP and later as well as Mac OS X 10.5 and later.

Function	Service	Client	Notes
E-mail, contacts, calendar	Hotmail, People, Calendar	Mail	Mail client also works