What is Windows Essential Software? What are the applications available in the Microsoft Windows Essentials 2012? What are the benefits of using this software?
The Windows Essential software is a freeware application that includes blogging, photo sharing, instant messaging, and email. The applications available are Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Mail, Writer and Family Safety for Windows 7 only. The advantages are that it is easy to use and install, automatic updates, light and unobtrusive. The disadvantages are that Microsoft has stopped support for the software.
Microsoft Windows Essentials is different from Microsoft Security Essentials. The first is a set of freeware applications while the latter is an antivirus application both from Microsoft. Microsoft Windows Essentials is formerly called “Windows Live Essentials.” It is a suite of discontinued freeware Microsoft applications that includes photo sharing, email, blogging, instant messaging, and parental control software.
These applications are designed to integrate well with one another, with other Microsoft web-based services like Outlook.com and OneDrive, and the Microsoft Windows operating system. Among the applications included in Microsoft Windows Essentials are:
OneDrive was later integrated to Microsoft Windows 8.1 and Microsoft Windows 10. The Family Safety application is available only for Windows 7. Microsoft Windows Essentials applications support Windows 7, Windows 8.x, and Windows 10 including Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012. Earlier versions of Microsoft Windows Essentials support Windows XP and Windows Vista and included Windows Live Messenger.
