Some applications, such as Movie Maker, are now available as downloads.
A selection of familiar Microsoft tools – including Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Photo Gallery, and Windows Live Messenger – are now available as free downloads rather than being bundled together with Windows itself. If you’re missing these tools from Windows 7, head to the Windows Live portal to download some or all of these applications.
Windows Live Mail – one of the key benefits of Windows Live Mail is that it brings all of your various email accounts together in one place. Not only can you send and receive messages from a number of POP accounts, you can also subscribe to newsgroups and even check the emails arriving at your Hotmail address.
Windows Live Photo Gallery – includes all of the features that you’ll need to manage, upload and browse through your pictures, and some basic editing tools. You’ll be able to create slideshows of your favourite pictures, share images with family and friends, and make more sense out of the hundreds of photos cluttering up your hard drive.
Windows Live Movie Maker – a stripped-down, simplified version of the software that you’ll know from XP and Vista – the emphasis is now firmly towards the beginner, and more advanced or ambitious users will need to buy a commercial video editing package instead. However, there’s still plenty to explore and admire.
Windows Live Family Safety – using this handy program you can block or allow access to certain websites and control communication via Live Messenger. By using Family Safety in conjunction with individual accounts for each of your children you can tailor their access and get activity reports for each account.
Windows Live Messenger – one of the most popular instant messaging applications in the world, you can use Windows Live Messenger to keep in touch more easily with family and friends across the world, initiate audio or video calls, share files together, or even play one of the built-in games.
(For a full guide to the software available for Windows 7, order the Essential Windows 7 Handbook, on sale now from newsagents and online.)
