Windows Live Essentials 2011 Released - Download Now

Microsoft has released the final version of Windows Live Essentials 2011.

As we exclusively revealed earlier today, the software giant has released the final edition to the web.
The complete package comes just over a month after a beta refresh was issued on August 17. Microsoft originally released a Windows Live Essentials beta on June 24. Essentials includes the popular programs Windows Live Movie Maker, Mail, Messenger, Writer, Sync, and Family Safety. The Windows Live team has aimed to ensure that the next version of Windows Live Essentials takes advantage of Windows 7 fully. All applications now use the new ribbon UI and integrate further into Windows 7 by using Jumplists. Windows Live Sync is also included which keeps your files synchronized on the web and across multiple PCs.

Microsoft also introduced several new features for Windows Live Photo Gallery, including photo fusing to blend photos together and improved facial recognition.

Download: Windows Live Essentials 2011
Download: Windows Live Essentials 2011 Offline installer

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10:53 PM | 0 comments

Microsoft Security Essential Available for Small Business in October

Microsoft said on Wednesday that it will make Security Essentials, its free anti-virus software, available to small businesses in October.

The announcement is a u-turn in licensing from earlier this year. Microsoft originally insisted that the product was strictly for home use and OEMs building home retail machines. Microsoft�s change of heart means small businesses will be able to download and install the product on up to 10 PCs in early October.

Microsoft says the reason is due to a change in the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) that allows small business customers to legally download the software onto individually managed business PCs. �This new availability will allow small businesses to take advantage of Microsoft�s no-cost antimalware service that will help them save time, save money and remain productive while protecting them from viruses, spyware and other malicious threats�, wrote Microsoft�s Eric Foster in a blog posting on Wednesday.

Microsoft is currently readying a new version of Security Essentials. An early beta, released in July this year, shows that the future version will include a new protection engine and inspection system. Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is designed to work on Windows XP, Vista and 7 and protects end users against virus threats and spy ware. MSE is Microsoft�s free anti-virus and anti-spyware product that replaced Microsoft�s paid Windows Live OneCare subscription service which was withdrawn last year.

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Windows Live Essentials 2011 Beta 2 Available Now

Microsoft has just released the next major version of the Windows Live Essentials 2011 beta suite. The package comes with a number of improvements, bug fixes and added features.

Microsoft originally released a Windows Live Essentials beta on June 24. Essentials includes the popular programs Windows Live Movie Maker, Mail, Writer, Sync, and Family Safety. The Windows Live team has aimed to ensure that the next version of Windows Live Essentials takes advantage of Windows 7 fully. All applications now use the new ribbon UI and integrate further into Windows 7 by using Jumplists. Windows Live Sync is also included which keeps your files synchronized on the web and across multiple PCs.

Microsoft also introduced several new features for Windows Live Photo Gallery, including photo fusing to blend photos together and improved facial recognition.

Download Windows Live Essentials 2011 beta refresh (English full installer)

Build number: 15.4.3001.809.

Some applications carry a different build number, so here is a master list of the versions:

• Movie Maker � 15.4.3002.0810
• Messenger � 15.4.3002.0810
• Mail � 15.4.3002.0810
• Photo Gallery -15.4.3002.0810
• Sync � 15.4.3001.0809
• Family Safety � 15.4.3001.0809
• Writer � 15.4.3001.0809

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