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Windows Live Mail

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 16.4.3528
  • 3.1

    (2592)

As the years go by, email stands strong

Windows Live Mail is a free mail app available from Microsoft as part of the Windows Essentials 2012 suite. It's less of a juggernaut than Microsoft's own Outlook yet different from the Mail app bundled with Windows 8.1 or 10. Its interface is very similar to Microsoft's other apps of the time, such as Office 2010. It's suited for both home and small office users, and includes a calendar and conversation view, as well.

Neatly wrapped up in a Ribbon

As noted, Windows Live Mail resembles its contemporary, Office 2010. Odds are you've used Office 2010, or one of the versions near it, which feature the "Ribbon" interface – a set of tabs spooled off of the main application icon which condense functionality. For many in the office world, it's a love-it or hate-it affair, but it's undeniably familiar.

Let's take viewing an email, for example. Though the Ribbon at the top will allow you to switch from account to account, all of the functions related to the email itself (such as replying it, binning it, or copying it) are in the Home tab, minimizing switching. It's only if you wanted to zoom in to read smaller text that you'd need the View tab, for example. Meanwhile, most of the screen is dominated by the email itself, with account-local options on the left and a miniature calendar on the right.

Speaking of the calendar, let's talk about some of its other features. WLM allows you to manage multiple accounts at a glance. This is normal for many commercial email programs, such as Outlook, but it's a very welcome feature in WLM, since both home and small business users will have multiple emails to manage these days. The calendar itself bears noting, too: it lets you save dates far in advance, is part of most screens so you'll never miss an upcoming event, and it can provide reminders, too. Overall, WLM has a healthy number of features.

A rainy-looking sunset

Unfortunately, Microsoft has made it quite clear that in 2017, Windows Essentials will no longer be supported, including Mail. This is referred to as the product's "end of life" by Microsoft, a somewhat gloomy moniker.

This has not been well-received by Mail's existing users, who number in the millions. This should speak well of the software's quality, but it also means you must be ready for a lack of updates or other difficulties.

In fact, Mail is only compatible with current Hotmail or Live accounts after installing Microsoft's most recent update, which also causes some instability. Thus, paradoxically, Windows Live Mail is currently smoothest to use with a different email service, such as Gmail.

Dry bones are certainly better than advertised

For all that this review has discussed Windows Live Mail's looming fate according to Microsoft, the software itself is fantastic, and it still supports many popular email services, such as Gmail. Sporting reasonably modern features, and an interface that means almost everyone will have some familiarity with it, Windows Live Mail is a solid choice if you're looking for a free, functional email program.

Check mail from multiple Microsoft accounts

Add an email account

You can add all your email accounts to Windows Live Mail. It's as easy as typing in an email address and password, and then following a few steps. Once your email accounts have been added, organize your conversations.

Send lots of photos

Send high-resolution photos to family and friends with Windows Live Mail. They can then easily find, view, and download your photos. Since the photos are stored on OneDrive, nobody's inbox gets overloaded.

Add events to your calendar from your inbox

You can add reminders for events and other special days to Windows Live Calendar quickly and conveniently right from your Windows Live Mail inbox. Just type your event name in the calendar pane and it will show up immediately. Then, double-click your event to add a location or other details.

PROS

  • A veteran among email clients

CONS

  • Rapidly-approaching sunset means no updates

Program available in other languages


Windows Live Mail

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 16.4.3528
  • 3.1

    (2592)

User reviews about Windows Live Mail

  • Dr. Peter Wiegand

    by Dr. Peter Wiegand

    Installation does not work. Perhaps to old to be accepted by Windows 10

  • Jagan E

    by Jagan E

    its good one to use.
    its good to use and I recommend to others .thank you very much

  • Diane Lulelaru

    by Diane Lulelaru

    need help to install application.
    Hi, I have win 10 re installed 2 days ago and is impossible to install Windows Live Mail; please, help...Tnks!

  • Anonymous

    by Anonymous

    I am trying to get to my Windows Live mail account.
    I am trying to get to my Windows live mail account
    The set up is good but I keep having More

  • Tom Dingess

    by Tom Dingess

    Once finished will send a critique kk.
    Very effective and will have more after use. I haven't used enough to give a correct answer for you but h More

  • mrvin crane

    by mrvin crane

    very good untel about 3 mounths.
    very good untel about 3 months it stooped working it said was out of date


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