Windows Live Essential is a collaboration suite developed by Microsoft under its Windows Live services. It consist of 5 desktop applications above that available free  Live users.

I’m first using these applications in November when I’m exploring the whole Windows Live package. At the end of the day, I stick only with Windows Live Writer and Windows Live Mail. I keep the Window Live Messenger, although I rarely using it. I have Picasa 3 installed, so I keep the Photo Gallery aside.

Microsoft has done a quite good job when it come to desktop/Windows based application unlike its ‘cloud application’. It is easy to use and straigtforward application.

Windows Live Mail is a desktop email client such as Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird but with fewer feature. While Windows Live Writer is a blogging tool where you can write and post any document directly to your blog from your desktop. It has become my default blogging editor due to the simplicity. After the first release, it got another 3 new very useful plugins. This final version should have all plugins made available, so no upgrade required.

On messenger, please be aware that there is a bug that prevent the webcam from working properly. So you might check the forum before using it.

If you’re looking for free collaboration and productivity suite for your desktop, Windows Live Essential is a quite good choice . Go get them.

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