Summary:
Note: This article is obsolete – Microsoft has removed all software for Windows Essentials and Windows Live Essentials applications from their servers. Downloading the Full or Web Version installer is no longer possible from Microsoft. The links shown below will no longer function. Main article left intact solely for archival purposes.
- Links to download the current version (now called) Windows Essentials 2012 applications/programs
- Links to download the 2011 version of the Windows Live Essentials 2011 applications/programs
- Links to download the 2009 version of the Windows Live Essentials 2009 applications/programs
- Earlier versions (Windows Live Essentials 2008) are no longer available from Microsoft
Links:
- Windows Essentials 2012
- Windows Live Essentials 2011
- Windows Live Essentials 2009
Direct download to Microsoft server for the installer executable file
Full Version 2012 installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive5-all/en/wlsetup-all.exe
Web Version 2012 Installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive5-web/en/wlsetup-web.exe
Full Version 2011 Installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive4-all/en/wlsetup-all.exe
Web Version 2011 Installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive4-web/en/wlsetup-web.exe
Full Version 2009 Installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive3/en/wlsetup-all.exe
Web Version 2009 Installer – English Language Version
http://g.live.com/1rewlive3/en/wlsetup-web.exe
Note: Direct download links above are for the English language installer. For a different country replace the ‘en’ with the local language code.
Comments:
1. System Requirements (2012 version) -suggested reading
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/Windows-Essentials-2012-system-requirements
2. Release Notes (2012 version) – suggested reading
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/essentials-2012-release-notes
3. Windows Live Essentials 2009 – Earlier version still available for compatibility and use on no-longer-supported operating systems Windows XP and Server 2008. **Not recommended for use on Vista or later Windows operating systems.**
4. Photo Gallery and Movie Maker in Windows Essentials 2012 were rebranded as Windows Photo Gallery and Windows Movie Maker. No name change in branding for Windows Live applications (Mail, Messenger, and Writer)
5. Photo Gallery and Movie Maker in Windows Essentials 2012 install as one combined, single package.
6. Windows Update KB 2741355 is a pre-requisite for DirectX 9 support in Movie Maker on Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 systems.
7. Windows Live Messenger was deprecated but remains included in the installer since the installer pre-dates the deprecation. Windows Live Messenger is no longer functional and should not be installed. Windows Live Messenger has been replaced by Skype. Skype can be downloaded here – http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-computer/
If Messenger is installed then after first use a prompt to upgrade to a ‘new version’ of Messenger will appear. The ‘new version’ is Skype. Upgrading to Skype via the prompt will uninstall Messenger. Messenger can also be uninstalled manually via the Control Panel (Programs and Features/Windows Essentials 2012 or Programs and Features/Windows Live Essentials)
8. Live Mesh (included in 2011 version) was discontinued and no longer available. Live Mesh replacement is OneDrive (fka SkyDrive).
Revisions:
May 8, 2015: Original Draft Date
May 9, 2015: Comment section updated
May 10, 2015: Original Publish Date
March 27, 2017: Added Note about blog article obsolescence regarding Microsoft removal of software from their servers
Windows Unplugged 