Windows Live Essentials and Windows 7

Unlike Windows Vista and other past versions of the Windows client OS, Windows 7 won’t include an e-mail client, digital photo editor, digital movie editor, or a Web content-blocking and activity-monitoring service for parents. Instead, Microsoft is offering free applications, called Windows Live Essentials, which some OEMs will include with new PCs, and which also will be available as a free download. The changes streamline Windows 7, reduce antitrust-related risks in Europe, and could increase opportunities for OEMs and ISVs to promote and sell competing third-party applications.

What Is Windows Live Essentials?

Windows Live Essentials is a free downloadable package of Windows client applications, most of which work on Windows XP and later. (One application, Windows Live Movie Maker, works only on Vista and later.) Each application connects to online services from Microsoft and/or third parties. (For a rundown of the applications in the package, see the sidebar “What’s in Windows Live Essentials?“.)