Microsoft's Windows Essentials: A Great Suite of Applications for Windows Users
Windows Essentials is a comprehensive package of useful applications developed by Microsoft. It offers a range of programs including Windows Live Messenger, Photo Gallery, SkyDrive, Live Mail, Live Writer, and Movie Maker. These apps are designed to enhance the Windows experience and provide users with essential tools for various tasks.
Windows Live Messenger, although lacking significant updates, offers tabbed browsing, integration with Facebook and Linkedin, and chat log functionality. Photo Gallery and Movie Maker have received major overhauls, featuring a modern interface and improved features. Photo Gallery now allows users to tag people in photos in bulk and includes a new auto-collage feature. SkyDrive, similar to Dropbox, seamlessly syncs files to the cloud and between devices. Live Mail is a solid mail client that offers offline mode and helps manage emails on the desktop. Lastly, Live Writer is a basic writing app that integrates with popular blogging services.
Overall, Windows Essentials is a great suite of applications that caters to the needs of most Windows users. While some apps may struggle for relevance, many of them are highly useful. The best part is that it is free to download and users have the option to choose which programs to install, avoiding unnecessary clutter on their systems.