View source for Windows Live

{{Short description|Former brand name for Microsoft online services}}
{{Infobox website
| logo = Windows Live Logo.svg
| logo_size = 120px
| screenshot = Windows Live Home.png
| caption = Screenshot of  [[Windows Live Home]], which served as a central location to access all Windows Live services
| url = {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.live.com/ |date=* |title=Archived official website }}
| commercial = No
| type = [[Software plus services]]<br>([[Web application]]s)
| registration = Required
| owner = [[Microsoft]]
| launch_date = {{Start date|2005|11|01}}
| current_status = Closed
| num_users = 330&nbsp;million
| content_license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
}}

'''Windows Live''' is a discontinued brand name for a set of web services and [[software]] products developed by [[Microsoft]] as part of its [[software-as-a-service]] platform. Chief components under the brand name included web services (all of which were exposed through corresponding [[web application]]s), several computer programs that interact with the services, and [[Windows Live Mobile|specialized web services for mobile devices]].<ref name="Wave3RG">{{Cite web |date=2008-11-12 |title=Windows Live Wave 3 Reviewers Guide |url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/WindowsLive/docs/WindowsLiveRG.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601191014/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/WindowsLive/docs/WindowsLiveRG.pdf |archive-date=June 1, 2010 |access-date=2008-11-16 |website=News Center |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref>

According to Microsoft, Windows Live was "a way to extend the [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] [[user experience]]".<ref name="WLPreview_WinSuperSite">{{Cite web |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |date=2006-01-18 |title=Windows Live Preview |url=http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowslive_preview.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527151147/http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowslive_preview.asp |archive-date=2007-05-27 |access-date=2007-06-17 |website=SuperSite for Windows |publisher=[[Penton Media]]}}</ref> As such, [[Windows Vista]]'s welcome screen provides a link to download [[Windows Live Messenger]] or to subscribe to [[Windows Live OneCare]]. Also, [[Windows Mail]], [[Windows Photo Gallery]] and [[Windows Movie Maker]] were not offered with [[Windows 7]] and became an exclusive part of Windows Live.<ref name="Win7Essentials">{{Cite web |date=28 October 2008 |title=The Complete Windows Experience&nbsp;– Windows 7 + Windows Live |url=http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2008/10/28/the-complete-windows-experience-windows-7-windows-live/ |website=The Windows Blog |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> Microsoft announced that [[Windows 8]] would have Windows Live apps included [[Out of the box (feature)|out-of-the-box]], and would include built-in synchronization technologies powered by [[OneDrive]] (then SkyDrive).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-09-13 |title=Windows 8 Developer Preview Guide |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/E/4/1E455D53-C382-4A39-BA73-55413F183333/Windows_Developer_Preview-Windows8_guide.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007012704/http://download.microsoft.com/download/1/E/4/1E455D53-C382-4A39-BA73-55413F183333/Windows_Developer_Preview-Windows8_guide.pdf |archive-date=2011-10-07 |access-date=2011-09-20 |website=Download Center |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> The Windows Live brand was phased out during August 2012, when Microsoft [[released to manufacturing|released Windows 8 to manufacturing]]. Active Windows Live services remained active but were gradually renamed. The "live.com" domain, however, continues to be used in the [[URL]]s for [[Outlook.com|Outlook]], [[OneDrive]], and the Login and Signup pages.

==History==
Windows Live was first announced on November 1, 2005. In its initial release, several Windows Live properties were rebranded and enhanced from Microsoft's [[MSN]] set of products and services. However, MSN still exists alongside Windows Live as a means of delivering content (as opposed to customized content and communications).<ref name="WLPreview_PR">{{Cite web |date=1 November 2005 |title=Microsoft Previews New Windows Live and Office Live Services |url=http://news.microsoft.com/2005/11/01/microsoft-previews-new-windows-live-and-office-live-services/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103201918/http://news.microsoft.com/2005/11/01/microsoft-previews-new-windows-live-and-office-live-services/ |archive-date=3 November 2014 |access-date=3 November 2014 |website=News Center |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> In May 2012 Microsoft began renaming Windows Live services, partly in anticipation of Windows 8, which integrates many of the Windows Live products and services into the operating system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stross |first=Randall |date=May 27, 2012 |title=Goodbye to Windows Live (and Whatever It Meant) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/business/windows-live-brand-fades-into-the-sunset-digital-domain.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113132048/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/business/windows-live-brand-fades-into-the-sunset-digital-domain.html |archive-date=January 13, 2016 |access-date=February 28, 2017 |website=[[New York Times]]}}</ref>

==Services==

===Online services===
The following services were once part of Windows Live but are still online.<ref name="service fate">{{Cite web |date=2012-05-02 |title=Cloud services for Windows 8 and Windows Phone: Windows Live, reimagined |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/02/cloud-services-for-windows-8-and-windows-phone-windows-live-reimagined.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216162040/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/02/cloud-services-for-windows-8-and-windows-phone-windows-live-reimagined.aspx |archive-date=2014-02-16 |access-date=2013-06-15 |website=Building Windows 8 |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> Outlook.com and OneDrive still use the "Live" branding in the URL even though the brand name is dropped.

The usage of the Live.com domain was later extended to consumer versions of [[Microsoft Teams]], [[Microsoft To Do]], Microsoft Lists, to distinguish them from the enterprise versions.

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Previous Name
!Description
![[#History|Later renamed to]]
!Website
|-
!scope="row" | [[Windows Live ID|ID]]
|Provides [[single sign-on]] service, allowing users to log into various Microsoft products and services with the same credentials. Users can manage their accounts and link multiple IDs together using this service.
| rowspan="2"|[[Microsoft account]]
| rowspan="2"|{{url|account.microsoft.com}}
|-
!scope="row" | [[Windows Live Profile|Profile]]
|Allow users to manage their profile information and displays information about the particular user, their recent activities, and their relationship with other Windows Live users.
|-
!scope="row" | [[Hotmail]]
|Free [[webmail]] service using [[AJAX]] technology
| rowspan="3"|[[Outlook.com]]
| rowspan="3"|{{url|outlook.live.com}}
|-
!scope="row" | [[Windows Live Calendar|Calendar]]
|[[Calendaring software|Calendaring web app]] that allow users to organize appointments, schedule meetings, set reminders, and share their calendar events.
|-
!scope="row" | [[Windows Live People|People]]
|An [[address book]] service, which allows users to keep track and synchronize their contact's information. Allow users to add contacts from other social networks including [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[LinkedIn]], [[Google]], [[Flickr]] and soon [[Sina Weibo]] and [[Skype]] to their Microsoft account.
|-
!scope="row" | [[OneDrive|SkyDrive]]
|Password-protected [[file hosting service]]. Enables [[file sharing]] and [[file synchronization|content synchronization]]. Can preview images, [[Microsoft Office]] documents and [[ZIP file]]s. Integrates tightly with [[Office Web Apps]] and [[Outlook.com]] to serve as an online storage for their needs.
|[[Microsoft OneDrive]]
| rowspan="2"|{{url|onedrive.live.com}}
|-
!scope="row" | —
|Note-taking software designed for free-form information gathering and multi-user collaboration. It gathers users' notes, drawings, screen clippings, and audio commentaries, and notes can also be shared with other OneNote users over the Internet or a network.
|[[Microsoft OneNote]]
|-
!scope="row" | —
|Business communication platform offering workspace chat and videoconferencing, file storage, and application integration.
|[[Microsoft Teams]]
|{{url|teams.live.com}}
|-
!scope="row" | —
|Cloud-based task management application that allows users to manage their tasks from a smartphone, tablet and computer.
|[[Microsoft To Do]]
|{{url|to-do.live.com}}
|-
!scope="row" | —
|Allows users to create, share, and track data inside lists.
|Microsoft Lists
|{{url|lists.live.com}}
|-
|}

===Mobile services===

====Windows Phone====
{{main|My Windows Phone}}
'''My Windows Phone''' was a free online companion service for [[Windows Phone]] mobile devices that provided users with a free mobile phone back-up solution by wirelessly synchronizing contacts, calendar appointments, photos, and [[Microsoft OneNote|OneNote]] notebooks with a password-protected online portal. Users could access and manage their information stored on their Windows Phone devices via the online portal using their [[Microsoft account]], as well as accessing a set of features for remotely ringing, locking, mapping, and erasing their lost phones. This service integrated tightly with other Windows Live services including [[Hotmail.com]] People and Calendar, and [[File system|SkyDrive]].<!--Not OneDrive! The rename did not occur while WL was in existence.--><ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodman |first=Aaron |date=13 July 2010 |title=Windows Phone 7 – Getting Connected |url=http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2010/07/13/windows-phone-7-getting-connected/ |website=Blogging Windows |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref>

====iOS====
{{main|Windows Live Messenger Mobile}}
Microsoft released a [[Windows Live Messenger]] application on the [[iOS]] [[App Store (Apple)|App Store]], which allowed users on mobile devices running [[iOS]] to communicate with their contacts via the [[Microsoft Messenger service]]. In addition to the instant messaging functionalities, the application also allowed users to view their Messenger social feed, view their friend's [[Windows Live Profile|Profiles]], and integrate with [[Hotmail]] and [[File system|Photos]].

====Feature phone====
Windows Live also provided customized services specifically created for [[feature phone]]s. It was offered via three channels&nbsp;— through Client-based (for [[Windows Mobile]] and other supported mobile devices such as [[Nokia]] phones), Web-based (for [[Wireless Application Protocol|WAP]] or [[General Packet Radio Service|GPRS]]-enabled mobile web browsers), or [[SMS]]-based services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-11-14 |title=Windows Live for mobile Wave 3&nbsp;– take your social life on the go |url=http://www.liveside.net/main/archive/2008/11/14/windows-live-for-mobile-wave-3-take-your-social-life-on-the-go.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205102138/http://www.liveside.net/main/archive/2008/11/14/windows-live-for-mobile-wave-3-take-your-social-life-on-the-go.aspx |archive-date=2008-12-05 |access-date=2008-11-16 |website=LiveSide.net}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!rowspan=2|Mobile Service
!colspan=3|Offered through
!rowspan=2|Exchange ActiveSync support?
!rowspan=2|Description
|-
!Client
!Web
!SMS
|-
!scope="row" |Calendar Mobile
|
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{Yes2|Yes}}
|Web-based version of [[Windows Live Calendar|Calendar]] designed for mobile devices to view, schedule and manage calendar appointments and events. SMS service for users to query today and tomorrow's appointments in their calendar
|-
!scope="row" |People Mobile
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{Yes2|Yes}}
|Web-based version of [[Windows Live People|People]] designed for mobile devices for access to contact information. Client-based version allows integration of the contact list with the mobile device's address book. Also allow users to query contact information via SMS
|-
!scope="row" |Groups Mobile
|
| {{yes}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
|
|Web-based version of [[Windows Live Groups]] designed for mobile devices
|-
!scope="row" |Hotmail Mobile
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{Yes2|Yes}}
|Web- and client-based version of [[Hotmail]] that targets mobile devices, and allow new email alerts via SMS
|-
!scope="row" |[[Messenger Mobile (Microsoft)|Messenger Mobile]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| style="text-align: center;" |
|Web- and client-based version of [[Windows Live Messenger]] that is designed for mobile devices, and allow users to send instant messages via SMS
|-
!scope="row" |Profile Mobile
|
| {{yes}}
|
| style="text-align: center;" |
|View and update user's own [[Windows Live Profile]] information using a mobile device
|-
!scope="row" |SkyDrive Mobile
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|
| style="text-align: center;" |
|Web-based version of [[File system|SkyDrive]] designed for mobile devices for accessing documents stored on the cloud. Client-based version allows upload of photos directly from a mobile phone camera.
|}

===Search services===
{{main|Bing (search engine)}}
'''Bing''', a replacement of the search engine ''Live Search'', was originally named '''Windows Live Search''' (and ''MSN Search'' prior to that) and was once part of the Windows Live family of services. Windows Live Search once occupied the homepage of Live.com, the domain for all Windows Live services. However, on March 21, 2007, Microsoft decided to separate its search developments from its Windows Live services family, forming part of the ''Live Search and Ad Platform''. As part of this reorganization, the new search brand, ''Live Search'', was consolidated with [[Microsoft adCenter]], a part of Microsoft's Platform and Systems division.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Mary Jo |date=21 March 2007 |title=Microsoft severs Live Search from the rest of the Windows Live family |url=http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-severs-live-search-from-the-rest-of-the-windows-live-family/339 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103203503/http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-severs-live-search-from-the-rest-of-the-windows-live-family/339 |archive-date=3 November 2014 |access-date=3 November 2014 |website=[[ZDNet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref> However, Microsoft recognised that there was a brand issue as the word "Live" continued to remain in the brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keynote with Kevin Johnson at Microsoft |url=http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/017296.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624035719/https://www.seroundtable.com/archives/017296.html |archive-date=2018-06-24 |access-date=2009-05-30 |website=seroundtable.com}}</ref> As an effort to create a new identity for Microsoft's search services, on June 3, 2009, Live Search was officially rebranded as [[Bing (search engine)|Bing]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singel |first=Ryan |date=2009-05-28 |title=Hands On With Microsoft's New Search Engine: Bing, But No Boom |url=https://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/05/microsofts-bing-hides-its-best-features/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429062542/http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/05/microsofts-bing-hides-its-best-features |archive-date=2012-04-29 |access-date=2017-03-12 |website=[[Wired (website)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]]}}</ref>

===Developer services===
{{main|Live Connect}}
'''Live Connect''' is a collection of APIs and common controls that allow developers to have a deeper control and offers access to the core Windows Live services and data through open and easily accessible [[application programming interface]]s (APIs). Live Connect is built on standard web technologies such as OAuth 2.0, Representational State Transfer (REST), and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and is designed to work with any technology or device. Live Connect unites the previously separate APIs of Windows Live into a single API that is based on industry standards and specifications.

===Discontinued services===

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Name
!Description
!Replaced By
!Discontinued Date
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Admin Center|Admin Center]]
|Enabled users with domain names to change their domain MX record(s) (mail server records) so that all features of Outlook.com will be available on their own domain names.
|[[Microsoft Office 365]]
|10 April 2014
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Agents|Agents]]
|Interactive chatterbots through Windows Live Messenger that allowed users to get more information about specific topics.
|{{N/A}}
|30 June 2009
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Alerts|Alerts]]
|Sent information updates to the user's email inbox, mobile device or Messenger.
|{{N/A}}
|30 September 2010
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Barcode|Barcode]]
|2D barcodes that can be used to store information or link to the mobile web.
|[[Microsoft Tag]]
|{{N/A|Never launched}}
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Call|Call]]
|Allowed users to make [[VoIP|PC-to-PC and PC-to-Phone voice and video calls]].
|[[Skype]]
|1 June 2010
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Devices|Devices]]
|An online device management service that allowed users to centrally access and manage the synchronisation of files stored on their computers and mobile devices. Also allowed users to remotely access their computers from the internet via their web browser.
|{{Included|Integration into [[OneDrive]]}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Events|Events]]
|Enables managing and planning different types of events and share them with others using [[Outlook.com#Calendar|Calendar]], [[Windows Live Spaces|Spaces]] and [[Windows Live Alerts|Alerts]].
|[[Windows Live Groups]]<br />{{small|(now discontinued)}}<br />[[Outlook.com#Calendar|Calendar]]
|3 September 2009
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Expo|Expo]]
|Allowed users to post online classifieds and search for listings posted by other users.
|{{N/A}}
|31 July 2008
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Favorites|Favorites]]
|Synchronized the user's favorites between computers and allows for the sharing of favorites.
|[[OneDrive]]
|14 April 2009
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live FrameIt|FrameIt]]
|Extended the functionality of digital photo frame devices, allowing users to customise the content delivery from multiple sources such as RSS feeds.
|{{N/A}}
|15 December 2010
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Gallery|Gallery]]
|A center for collections of developers' add-ons for [[Windows Live Messenger]], [[Windows Photo Gallery|Photo Gallery]], [[Windows Movie Maker|Movie Maker]], [[Windows Live Writer|Writer]], [[Windows Live Toolbar|Toolbar]], [[Windows Live Spaces|Spaces]], and Live.com, as well as [[Windows 7]] and [[Windows Vista]] Sidebar and [[SideShow]] gadgets.
|Windows Live Plug-ins<br />{{small|(Discontinued)}}
|1 October 2011
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Groups|Groups]]
|Enabled users to create their social groups for sharing, discussion and coordination.
|{{Included|Integration into [[OneDrive]]}}
|{{Dunno}}
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Home|Home]]
|Provided a central location to access Windows Live services, monitor status information, and navigate to other Windows Live sites and services.
|{{N/A}}
|18 February 2013
|-
! scope="row" |Help Community
|Collection of forums and message boards that allowed communication with other users of Windows Live products.
|Microsoft Answers
|6 June 2008
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Mesh|Mesh]]
|File sharing and synchronization service based on FolderShare and Live Mesh technologies. Supported PC-to-PC and PC-to-Cloud synchronisation, and synchronisation of program settings such as [[Internet Explorer]] and [[Microsoft Office]] between multiple computers. Also allowed users to remotely access their computers via the internet.
|[[OneDrive]]
|2012
|-
! scope="row" |[[Office Live Workspace]]
|Offered 5GB of storage space for storing [[Microsoft Office]] Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook documents and lists online and sharing them with others. Office Live Workspace did not offer collaboration or editing capabilities however.
|[[Office Online]]
|21 January 2011
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner|OneCare Safety Scanner]]
|Free PC scanning and health service to help delete viruses and other threats. Included a [[registry cleaner]], [[disk cleaner]] and [[defragmenter]], network open port scanner, and comprehensive virus and spyware scanner.
|[[Microsoft Safety Scanner]]
|15 April 2011
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Personalized Experience|Personalized Experience]]
|An all-in-one home page featuring a customisable RSS aggregator, gadgets and search tools.
|My MSN
|30 March 2010
|-
! scope="row" | Plug-ins<ref>plugins.live.com/developer/information</ref>
|A central repository for collections of developer plug-ins for [[Windows Photo Gallery]], [[Windows Movie Maker]], and [[Windows Live Writer]].
|{{N/A}}
|{{dunno}}
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live QnA|QnA]]
|A question and answer service which allowed users to ask questions, tag them according to topic, and gain points and reputation for answering other users' questions.
|[[MSN QnA]]<br />{{small|(now discontinued)}}
|21 May 2009
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Search Center|Search Center]]
|A desktop search program which provided a unified local and remote indexed search from a unified interface.
|[[Windows Search|Windows Search 4]]<br />{{small|(now part of [[Windows Vista]] and [[Windows 7]])}}
|12 December 2006
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Shopping|Shopping]]
|An online shopping comparison website which allowed users to compare items and prices of over 40 million products from more than 7000 online stores.
|[[Bing Shopping]]<br />{{small|(now discontinued)}}
|20 February 2007
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Spaces|Spaces]]
|A blog and social networking service which allowed users to create personalized blogs, add friends, and upload photos.
|{{Dropped|Migration to [[WordPress.com|WordPress]] or Sina blogs in China}}
|16 March 2011
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Sync|Sync]] and [[Live Mesh]]
|File synchronization which allowed files and folders between two or more computers be in sync with each other or with the [[cloud storage]] on the web. Live Mesh also enabled remote desktop access via the internet using a web browser.
|[[OneDrive]]
|31 March 2011
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live TV|TV]]
|An additional program for [[Windows Media Center]] which provided access to [[Windows Live Spaces]], [[Windows Live Messenger|Messenger]], and [[Windows Live Call|Call]] on large-screen monitors or TVs.
|{{N/A}}
|24 June 2008
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Video Messages|Video Messages]]
|Combined digital video with e-mail into a service that allowed all webcam users to create, send, and receive video messages to anyone in their contact list, even when they are offline.
|[[Skype]]
|21 July 2010
|-
! scope="row" |[[Windows Live Web Messenger|Web Messenger]]
|Online version of [[Windows Live Messenger]] which allowed users to talk online and in real-time with others from within a web browser.
|{{Included|Integration into all services}}
|30 October 2008
|-
! scope="row" |[[MSN WiFi Hotspots|WiFi Center]]
|Allowed users to search for wireless networks that are available and displays information about them.
|{{N/A}}
|16 February 2007
|-
! scope="row" |[[MSN WiFi Hotspots|WiFi Hotspot Locator]]
|A website which allowed users to locate wireless internet hotspots worldwide and view their positions on a map using [[Bing Maps]].
|[[MSN WiFi Hotspots]]<br />{{small|(now discontinued)}}
|16 February 2007
|}

==Software==
Microsoft has released several computer programs with "Windows Live" brand, a summary of which is included below. All except [[Windows Live OneCare]] are [[freeware]] and published in a [[software suite]] called [[Windows Essentials]] (formerly Windows Live Essentials). Essentials programs are designed to integrate well with each other, within [[Windows]], and with other Windows Live services such as [[OneDrive]] and [[Outlook.com]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Mary Jo |date=25 August 2006 |title=Microsoft Seeks Testers for 'Windows Live Essentials' |url=https://www.eweek.com/news/microsoft-seeks-testers-for-windows-live-essentials/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231010223228/https://www.eweek.com/news/microsoft-seeks-testers-for-windows-live-essentials/ |archive-date=2023-10-10 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=[[eWeek]] |publisher=[[Quinstreet]]}}</ref> Windows Live OneCare on the other hand, was a commercial consumers [[utility software|utility]] marketed with a [[software as a service]] licensing model.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" | Service
! scope="col" | Description
! scope="col" | Fate
|-
! scope="row" | [[Windows Live Family Safety|Family Safety]]
| [[Parental controls]] similar to [[Windows Vista]]'s Family Safety feature
| Integrated into [[Windows 8]] and later<ref name="service fate" />
|-
! scope="row" | [[Windows Live Mail|Mail]]
| Desktop mail and calendar client designed to succeed [[Outlook Express]] on [[Windows XP]] and [[Windows Mail]] on Windows Vista, with full [[RSS (file format)|RSS]] support
| Integrated into [[Windows 8]] and later<ref name="service fate" />
|-
! scope="row" | [[Windows Movie Maker|Movie Maker]]
| A [[video editing software|video editing program]] for consumers
| Discontinued, most functionality integrated into Photos app, a feature which was called Windows Story Remix (later Video Editor)
|-
! scope="row" | [[Windows Live Messenger|Messenger]]
| [[Instant messaging]] app
| Replaced by [[Skype]]
|-
! scope="row" | [[Windows Live Messenger Companion|Messenger Companion]]
| An add-in for [[Internet Explorer]] that allows users to share a webpage with their friends on Windows Live, see links to webpages the user's friends have shared and comment on these shared pages.
| Discontinued
|-
! scope="row" | [[Windows Live OneCare|OneCare]]
| A suite of computer security programs with [[antivirus program]], [[backup software|backup utility]], and a [[personal firewall]].
| Discontinued; functionality is partially offered by [[Microsoft Security Essentials]], [[Windows Defender]], [[Microsoft Forefront#Rebranded|System Center Endpoint Protection]], [[Windows Backup]] and [[Windows Firewall]].
|-
! scope="row" | [[Windows Live Toolbar|Toolbar]]
| A toolbar plug-in for [[Windows Internet Explorer]], which allows quick access to a user's [[Windows Live Spaces]], [[Hotmail]], [[Windows Live Favorites|Favorites]] and [[Live Search]] from a button on the toolbar.
| Replaced by [[Bing Desktop]] and [[Bing Bar]]
|-
! scope="row" | [[Windows Photo Gallery|Photo Gallery]]
| [[Image organizer]] that makes posting photos to SkyDrive and [[Facebook]] easier
| Discontinued; functionality is partially offered by Photos app in [[Windows 10]], and [[OneDrive]] app.
|-
! scope="row" | [[Windows Live Writer|Writer]]
| Desktop blog publishing tool that can publish to popular blogging services and make use of SkyDrive for photo storage.
| Discontinued; open sourced as [[Open Live Writer]] in late 2015.
|}

==Windows Live Butterfly==
The '''Windows Live Butterfly''' awards program (formerly the '''MSN Butterfly''' program) was a program whose members were given the benefit of new Microsoft software to test before the beta releases went public and they were in direct contact with the program managers for Windows Live products.

Microsoft had initiated the Windows Live Butterfly program in order to recognize the contributions made by exemplary beta testers. Prospective 'butterflies' were selected by the Windows Live product team and were nominated for a term of one year, after which they could be renominated.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jcxp.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7999 |title=Excerpt of Windows Live Butterfly Acceptance E-mail from Windows Live Beta Team |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104162320/http://www.jcxp.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7999 |archive-date=January 4, 2009}}</ref>

The Windows Live Butterfly program was closed in June 2009.

==User interface==
All Windows Live websites sport a common theme. Different themes have been used on the sites with each phase of product release, called "Waves". Each Wave has a set of online services and desktop programs ([[Windows Essentials]]). The web services are labelled by each Wave, for example, [[Hotmail]] Wave 4. The programs from Windows Essentials are usually called by a year number, for example, [[Windows Live Messenger]] 2011.

=== Blue Vapor/Flair/Wave 1 ===
{{Wide image|Windows Live Header old.png|600px|The Windows Live Flair header}}
Most original Windows Live applications and services used a visual theme known as ''Blue Vapor'' or ''Flair''.

===Wave 2===
{{Wide image|Windows Live Header.png|600px|Windows Live 2.0 header}}
With the public beta release of the ''Windows Live Wave 2 Suite'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Windows Live 2.0 Release Notes |url=http://get.live.com/betas/installer_release_notes |access-date=2008-06-06 |publisher=Microsoft}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> a new visual theme was released to enable the [[Windows Aero|Aero]] transparency effect in [[Windows Vista]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-06-15 |title=The Death of Flair&nbsp;– Windows Live's New Look |url=http://www.liveside.net/blogs/main/archive/2007/06/15/the-death-of-flair-windows-live-s-new-look.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010115948/http://www.liveside.net/blogs/main/archive/2007/06/15/the-death-of-flair-windows-live-s-new-look.aspx |archive-date=2008-10-10 |access-date=2008-11-16 |website=LiveSide.net}}</ref>

===Wave 3===
{{Wide image|Windows Live Wave 3 Header.png|600px|Windows Live 3.0 header}}
Microsoft released a set of new themes for their Windows Live Wave 3 services, which allows users to customize their pages on Windows Live using a set of predetermined background pictures. Several of these themes are dynamic and change according to the time of day and the current weather condition of the user.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-06-05 |title=Windows Live Wave 3: New Header UI |url=http://www.liveside.net/blogs/main/archive/2008/06/05/windows-live-wave-3-new-header-ui.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606130521/http://www.liveside.net/blogs/main/archive/2008/06/05/windows-live-wave-3-new-header-ui.aspx |archive-date=2008-06-06 |access-date=2008-06-06 |website=LiveSide.net}}</ref>

===Wave 4===
{{Wide image|Windows Live Wave 4 header.png|600px|Windows Live Wave 4 header}}
In addition to the themes provided in Windows Live Wave 3, the release of Windows Live Wave 4 provided additional themes for users to customize their pages on Windows Live, with several dynamic themes that changes according to the time of day and weather conditions at the user's location. Several of these newly added themes are similar to wallpapers originating from [[Windows 7]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-04 |title=Recapping the rumors: what we 'know' about Wave 4 |url=http://www.liveside.net/main/archive/2010/01/04/recapping-the-rumors-what-we-know-about-wave-4.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108100128/http://www.liveside.net/main/archive/2010/01/04/recapping-the-rumors-what-we-know-about-wave-4.aspx |archive-date=2010-01-08 |access-date=2010-01-27 |website=LiveSide.net}}</ref> In addition, the Windows Live Wave 4 header features a reorganized dynamic navigation menu that displays the number of the user's current online contacts and the number of unread e-mails,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-21 |title=More information about Windows Live Wave 4's dynamic header |url=http://www.liveside.net/main/archive/2010/01/21/more-information-about-windows-live-wave-4-s-dynamic-header.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128220904/http://www.liveside.net/main/archive/2010/01/21/more-information-about-windows-live-wave-4-s-dynamic-header.aspx |archive-date=2010-01-28 |access-date=2010-01-27 |website=LiveSide.net}}</ref> as well as an in-built [[Windows Live Web Messenger]] service allowing users to connect to the [[Microsoft Messenger service]] and [[Facebook]] chat service to chat with their online contacts while browsing any Windows Live properties using a web browser.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-04 |title=A new wave, a new look: First look at the Windows Live Wave 4 header |url=http://www.liveside.net/main/archive/2010/01/04/a-new-wave-a-new-look-first-look-at-the-windows-live-wave-4-header.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107053959/http://www.liveside.net/main/archive/2010/01/04/a-new-wave-a-new-look-first-look-at-the-windows-live-wave-4-header.aspx |archive-date=2010-01-07 |access-date=2010-01-27 |website=LiveSide.net}}</ref>

== See also ==
In addition to Windows Live, which is mainly aimed at individuals,<ref name="WLPreview_PR" /> Microsoft brands other properties as "[[Microsoft Live|Live]]", including:
* [[Xbox Live]] (a [[multiplayer video game|multiplayer gaming]] and content-delivery system for [[Xbox]])
* [[Games for Windows – Live]] (multiplayer gaming service for [[Microsoft Windows]])
* [[Office Live]]. Office Live merged into Windows Live during the [[#Wave 4|Wave 4]] update. Microsoft merged Office Live into the Windows Live team in January 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-01-23 |title=Looking ahead and bringing you even more |url=http://officeliveworkspacecommunity.com/blogs/teamblog/archive/2009/01/23/looking-ahead-and-bringing-you-even-more.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220070926/http://officeliveworkspacecommunity.com/blogs/teamblog/archive/2009/01/23/looking-ahead-and-bringing-you-even-more.aspx |archive-date=2009-02-20 |access-date=2009-01-24 |website=Office Live Workspace Team Blog |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Windows Live}}
{{Microsoft Azure Services Platform}}
{{Microsoft}}

[[Category:Windows Live| ]]
[[Category:Microsoft websites]]
[[Category:MSN]]
[[Category:Web service providers]]
[[Category:Companies based in Palo Alto, California]]
[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2012]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2005]]
[[Category:Internet properties disestablished in 2012]]