Windows Live Essentials 2012 is out. But should you install it?

[Andrea Borman]

I have just read on the Microsoft website that Windows Live Essentials 2012 has just been released by Microsoft.

This comes at a time when only a few weeks ago Microsoft issued a mandatory update in July.To all Windows Vista,Windows 7 and Windows 8 users.Who are still on Windows Live Essentials 2009 version to upgrade to WLE 2011 version. Which is much hated by many Windows users.

And as a result most Windows 7,Windows Vista and Windows 8 users,including me,have refused to upgrade to WLE 2011 version. And have successfully stayed on WLE 2009 version. And some people are using earlier versions of Windows Live Messenger. Windows Live Messenger 8.5 and MSN Messenger 7.5.

But now Microsoft have put out WLE 2012 version. And from the screenshots,it looks even worse than WLE 2011 version. It is more confusing and there is even more of the Ribbon than there was in WLE 2011 version.

And now when you go to the Microsoft website in Windows 7 or Windows 8,you get redirected to the WLE 2012 download page.

Windows Live Essentials 2012 is only for Windows 7 and Windows 8. So you won't have to worry about it if you are on Windows XP or Windows Vista.

And of course you can avoid upgrading to WLE 2012 just like you can WLE 2011.And stay on WLE 2009 version. Which I have done.

So will you install WLE 2012 or not?

Well as for me. I have never upgraded to WLE 2011 version and I have stayed with WLE 2009 version. So I am certainly not going to upgrade to WLE 2012 version. So I am not installing this WLE 2012 NO WAY. I am staying with WLE 2009 version. Andrea Borman.

[theyarecomingforyou]

Come on Andrea, aren't you beating a dead horse now?

[Noir Angel]

So the crux of your argument is "it's new therefore people shouldn't install it"? I'll wait for some more opinions before I decide.

[grayscale]

Come on Andrea, aren't you beating a dead horse now?

This.

OP: Your thread has already most if not all of the answers on why you should upgrade. On the same thread also, you had already mentioned you're reasons why you don't want to upgrade. What's new on this one?

[pmrd]

AndreaBorman, if you would take half the time you spend to make your Windows eye-gouging and installing obsolete software you could learn how the new programs works and realize that they are much better than the older version. I know 9 year old kids who are able to use these apps you find "confusing".

[Ci7]

And as a result most Windows 7,Windows Vista and Windows 8 users,including me,have refused to upgrade to WLE 2011 version. And have successfully stayed on WLE 2009 version. And some people are using earlier versions of Windows Live Messenger. Windows Live Messenger 8.5 and MSN Messenger 7.5.

you got that figure from were? it look like there is only you!

as for me didn't hardly ever used it since ages otherwise would had installed it already '12

whatsapp cover my instant massaging needs , facebook cover the rest of it

[Andrea Borman]

Well there has already been a lot of complaints from people all over the web on other sites and forums who hate WLE 2011.And have kept on using WLE 2009 version.

But then a few weeks ago Microsoft issued the July update to upgrade to WLE 2011 version. Which a lot of people have avoided. By changing Windows Live Messenger to 2009 program compatibility mode to Windows XP Service Pack 3 or Service pack 2. Or they have used Messenger Reviver to block the update.

And now Microsoft go and make a worse version than WLE 2011 version. WLE 2012 version.

This has got to be a joke surely. Andrea Borman.

[articuno1au]

I think you will find that if you enter "Windows Live Suite 2011 sucks" into Google, it will provide you information that perfectly reflects your own personal point of view..

Further, most people have updated their clients, if for no other reason than they don't know any better than to click "Update" when provided with the button.

There's a reason Microsoft release product updates. They fix bugs, and support for new features and generally aim to make a better piece of software. In particular, the addition of Exchange Active Sync (which you would be using if you weren't too busy sticking with deprecated technologies).

You haven't had time, nor the proficiency to proclaim that WLE'12 is worse than '11, or even '09.

Luddite madam. Luddite.

Edited August 11, 2012 by articuno1au

[ArialBlue]

If Borman doesn't like it, then it must be good.

[Detection]

...meanwhile, in Fraggle Rock

[Andrea Borman]

Well we have got WLE 2009 version,which is the latest version on our Windows XP. So I don't see why we can't have it on Windows Vista and Windows 7. And WLE 2009 and Messenger 2009 is working on my Windows 8. Andrea Borman.

[Charisma Veteran]

Why make such a big deal about your messenging program anyway? Is that the only thing you spend your time on? If it's that confusing, use Skype or something.

[KRazpopov]

Care to explain exactly how WLE 2012 is worse than 2011? (And how 2011 is worse than 2009, apart from the ribbon, which you can hide.)

There are barely any differences between WLE 2011 and 2012. No features have been removed, a few have been added here and there, and some of the applications now have more of a Metro UI.

Personally, I installed it without hesitation as soon as I found out about it, and I haven't had any problems with it.

Andrea, the normal behavior when using certain software which receives updates is to install them. Not to avoid them and delete any reminiscence of the new software and use 16-bit applications.

Well we have got WLE 2009 version,which is the latest version on our Windows XP. So I don't see why we can't have it on Windows Vista and Windows 7. And WLE 2009 and Messenger 2009 is working on my Windows 8. Andrea Borman.

That's like asking why we can't have IE6 in Windows 7. WLE 2009 should not be used on Vista/7/8, because there's a better alternative.

[articuno1au]

Well we have got WLE 2009 version,which is the latest version on our Windows XP. So I don't see why we can't have it on Windows Vista and Windows 7. And WLE 2009 and Messenger 2009 is working on my Windows 8. Andrea Borman.

Clearly you can have WLE'09 running on your computer. As you have repeatedly stated, it's running on your computer right now.

The software has clearly reach end-of-life. There's no reason to stick with WLE'09 beyond an unwillingness to change anything.

You realise by running the older software (running on an older .net framework) you are getting much slower and less efficient software? Not to mention all of the bugs/security vulnerabilities that are potentially present.

Here's my challenge to you. Install WLE'12 on your Windows 8 machine, and then FORCE YOURSELF to use it for 2 weeks in a row WITHOUT going back to WLE'09 at all (even for a minute).

After that time, go back to WLE'09 and see if it's as good as you remember it..

[Andrea Borman]

Here is Windows Live Essentials 2008 on one of my Windows 7 netbooks. WLE 2008 is the very first WLE. And comes with Windows Live Messenger 8.5 and you have to set it in program compatibility mode for Windows 2000 to run it.

And the other picture is of Windows Live Photo Gallery 2008.It looks quite nice. And it looks like the Windows Vista Photo Gallery and Windows Vista Explorer. I think it is clone of Windows Vista's Windows Photo Gallery.

WLE 2008 also comes with WL Mail,and WL Writer. And I downloaded WLE 2008 from this website,if anyone is interested. Here-http://download.chip.eu/en/Windows-Live-Photo-Gallery-2008_1369745.html

But it may be a problem running WL Messenger 8.5 or MSN Messenger 7.5 on Windows 8. Because there is no option to set a program in compatibility mode for Windows 2000 on Windows 8. Andrea Borman.

[ArialBlue]

You are making a great point - WLE 2012 is awesome and Windows 7 can be butchered.

[articuno1au]

It might be worth pulling those images down given that they have your personal email address on them :\

[max84]

I just don't people like you...

You have like 3 people on your Messenger list. It's not like you need it that much anyway. Switch to something modern alltogether, and get Skype and Picasa.

Everybody has a choice, but using old software is not advisable after a couple of months.

[Andrea Borman]

I don't use Skype because it did not work well on my netbooks. I think Skype is more for laptops or large computers not netbooks. Andrea Borman.

[Charisma Veteran]

I don't use Skype because it did not work well on my netbooks. I think Skype is more for laptops or large computers not netbooks. Andrea Borman.

Yeah OK, tell that to the millions of people who use it on their tablets and smartphones. Wat?

[articuno1au]

Skype runs happily on my Single core 1ghz Arm 7 based phone.

I think the 1.x ghz Intel Atoms (or equiv.) you are running can probably handle it..

[Ryster]

Don't feed the trolls guys. Ignore her and she may go away :)

[Andrea Borman]

Yeah OK, tell that to the millions of people who use it on their tablets and smartphones. Wat?

Well when I installed Skype on my netbook. When it came to Skype testing my webcam and video calling software it said my software was not up to it. Well I cannot remember what the error message exactly was.

But that is rubbish. As my webcam and built in mic work fine with Google Talk,Aim Messenger and Windows Live Messenger. So it's not my netbook. It's Skype that was the problem. Andrea Borman.

[Midnight Mick]

I can't beleive you posted an image with your Email clearly visible? LOL!

[Kane]