What is Windows Live?
Windows Live brings your online world together. It’s a set of services that helps you get organized, in touch and on track — online. And the best part is, most of it’s free!
The Windows operating system provides you with the ultimate computing experience right here on your desktop. Windows Live gives you the online equivalent by helping you connect to the various components of your digital world.
Why do you need Windows Live?
If you and your family spend a lot of time online, the new Windows Live set of services can help you by bringing together the information you want, the people you care about and the powerful protection your PC needs. Windows Live is easy to access, use and enjoy. Go ahead, give it a whirl!
What services are available?
Windows Live products include
- Windows Live Messenger
- Windows Live Hotmail
- Windows Live Spaces
- Windows Live OneCare
- Windows Live Mail Beta
- Live Search
- Live Search Maps
- Windows Live Toolbar
- Windows Live Favourites
- Windows Live Photo Gallery Beta
- Windows Live for mobile
Click here for a list of even more, cool, free Windows Live services!
Read on to get more information on what these services can do for you, your PC and your family.
Windows Live Messenger
Speak your mind — anytime! Start a conversation or call your friend's PC for a full-screen, full-motion video chat. Get easy access to family and friends via your contact list and instant access to their Windows Live Spaces. Share online or offline photos, video and documents with the Sharing Folders tool. Start a conversation by typing or talking via microphone or talking in person via video with your webcam. Liven up your conversation with our emoticons and winks!
Click here to start chatting.
Windows Live Hotmail
Windows Live Hotmail is fast, simple and safe — what more do you need? Your free account comes with a massive five gigabytes of storage for mail and attachments. Hotmail makes things easier with drag and drop functionality. You can start e-mailing quickly just by right-clicking on any message to reply, delete and forward. Preview messages without reloading or leaving your inbox, and protect yourself with security tools that block junk e-mail and defend against phishing.
Get your free e-mail account here.
Windows Live Spaces
Start a blog or hobby site to share with family and friends. Share your latest adventures or just what you did last night. Post up to 500 photos a month, personalize your Space with unique colours and themes, and stay in touch via Windows Live Messenger or Windows Live Hotmail right from your own page.
Click here to make your Space.
Windows Live OneCare
Safety first! Windows Live OneCare is an all-in-one protection package for your PC. It includes a firewall, antivirus software, anti-spyware, anti-phishing software, back ups and tune ups that keep your PC running fast and clean. If your computer is on, OneCare is on, running quietly in the background to help keep you safe. OneCare regularly updates itself to keep up with new Internet threats so you always know you’re covered.
Click here to learn more about PC protection.
Windows Live Mail Beta
Are you an Outlook Express user? The free Windows Live Mail Beta offers similar features, plus some great new ones such as enhanced photo e-mail, access to Windows Live Hotmail and integration with other Windows Live services. Manage multiple e-mail accounts in one place. Quickly create photo e-mail or slideshows to send to friends and family.
Click here to start sending and receiving.
Live Search
Sign up for simplicity and accuracy. Choose which media you want to search: the web, news, content feeds, maps or images. Get results from your searches with Instant Answers. Try a search of innovative 3-D maps or dynamic images. Driving around looking for a place to eat or shop? Live Search is also supported by mobile devices, so you can easily search while on the go.
Click here to start searching.
Live Search Maps
Never get lost again! Live Search Maps offers easy-to-print custom maps and driving directions, making it easy to get anywhere you need to be. If you’re looking for the address or phone number of a store or restaurant, all you need is a business name and city and you’ll get a map and detailed directions. Highlight points of interest, add pictures or URLs, or draw on your map. Then share it with the world. See where you’re going with high-resolution aerial maps and realistic 3-D models.
Click here to map it!
Windows Live Toolbar
Brace yourself for better browsing. Start a search from any web page, get better protection against phishing scams and viruses, personalize your web experience with custom buttons, and use Windows Desktop Search to instantly find information on your PC.
Click here to download free customizable buttons.
Windows Live Favourites
Bookmark this! Access your favourite set of web sites from any computer. It’s like taking them with you anywhere you go!
Click here to use Windows Live Favourites.
Windows Live Photo Gallery Beta
It’s time to do more with your photos. Achieve picture perfection with features that allow you to easily adjust colour and exposure. Post pics to your Windows Live Space, publish your videos on MSN Soapbox, and e-mail pics and videos to friends. Organize your digital library and even create panoramic views by combining several shots into one spectacular photo.
Click here to download Windows Live Photo Gallery Beta free.
Windows Live for mobile devices
Never miss a beat! You can use your mobile device to access all your Windows Live Services including Live Search, Windows Live Spaces and Windows Live Messenger.
Click
here to check it out.
Check out related articles and info
To get a better idea of how Windows Live services can help you save time, connect with friends and family and get more done, take a look at the following articles:
