Windows Live Essentials and Services: Using Free Microsoft Applications for Windows 7 [Paperback]

Bradley L. Jones (Author), Marcus Schmidt (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470526874 | ISBN-13: 978-0470526873 | Publication Date: September 22, 2009 | Edition: 1

A full-color, step-by-step guide for using the most popular free software and online offerings from Microsoft's new Windows Live Essentials

Microsoft's new operating system – Windows 7 – isn't including many applications you might be used to seeing. Instead, those applications are being made available as set of free downloads called Windows Live Essentials, with the promise of more frequent updates independent of when the operating system releases happen. Windows Live Essentials includes tools such as Messenger, Mail, Writer, Photo Gallery, and Movie Maker. This valuable guide shows you how to use these applications so that you accomplish everyday tasks successfully and smartly.

Step-by-step instructions show you how to use not only these applications, but also associated Windows Live on-line services. As an example, you'll learn just how easy it is to create panoramic pictures in seconds or how to create movies from pictures in just a few minutes. Then you'll get the inside scoop on how to communicate and share using Messenger, SkyDrive, Spaces, and Groups.

• Windows Live Essentials are available as free downloads for the Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP operating systems
• Reviews what is included Windows Live products such as Messenger, Mail, Writer, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker as well as Windows Live services like Spaces, Groups, SkyDrive, Calendar, and Events
• Provides you with essential information on using the applications and services efficiently in order to accomplish everyday tasks.

With this book, you'll quickly be on your way to accessing these useful applications in an effort to making your life easier.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

You're going to want the Essentials

Microsoft now offers an impressive suite of valuable applications to make your Windows system more versatile — and more fun. These free programs, some available for download and others accessible online, are described in this book, along with everything you need to know to take advantage of them. Windows Live Applications and Services really are essential for getting all that Windows has to offer.

• Learn how to get Live Essentials Applications free and install them on your computer

• Chat with Live Messenger, keep in touch with Live Mail, and set up and create your own blog with Live Writer

• Get creative with Photo Gallery and Movie Maker, which let you manage and enhance your photos and turn them into movies

• Socialize with the help of Live Spaces

• Organize appointments and special days with Live Calendar

• Use SkyDrive to store files and documents online for easy access from anywhere

• Explore additional apps and services such as Live Contacts, Live Groups, Bing Maps, Bing Search, and more

About the Author

Bradley Jones is site manager for various high-profile Web sites, including Flashkit, HTMLGoodies, Codeguru, and Developer.com. He is active online — blogging, tweeting, and generally interacting with others around the world — as well as offline, writing books and running a Microsoft-related user group. He has been recognized and given the Microsoft MVP award for the last five years. He is the author of over a dozen books including Teach Yourself the C# Language, Alan Simpson's Windows Vista Bible, Desktop Edition, and Web 2.0 Heroes.

Marcus Schmidt is a member of the Windows Live team at Microsoft.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470526874
• ISBN-13: 978-0470526873
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very useful book, January 30, 2010

By 

Judith (Florham Park, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Windows Live Essentials and Services: Using Free Microsoft Applications for Windows 7 (Paperback)

very detailed book with lots of useful tips of Windows free live services like Messenger, Mail, Live Writer (blogging), Photo Gallery, Movie Maker and more. I am using this services for years and was surprised how many useful tricks I could learn from this book. Easy to understand, very good written with lots of pictures and examples, This is one of the books you read and say, wow i did not know so many cool things about the software i use every day!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice book to get you started, September 6, 2011

By 

David M Grimes - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Windows Live Essentials and Services: Using Free Microsoft Applications for Windows 7 (Paperback)

This book is a great companion to your download of Windows Live Essentials. It was easy to follow, contained helpful color screenshots and was well organized. Each chapter contains color-coded notes and tips, which are helpful and easy to find if you are browsing back through the book.

A novice computer user or a novice to the Essentials applications will have a handy tool to help them set up these free offers from Microsoft.

Since Windows Live Essentials evolves, there are some topics that are different from the most recent download or there are some additional services offered that is not covered in the book. But, in the mid-to-late 2011, it is still current and will help many users.

1.0 out of 5 stars Out of date, November 15, 2011

By 

Jim - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Windows Live Essentials and Services: Using Free Microsoft Applications for Windows 7 (Paperback)

While the book layout is nice, the content is totally out of date. I've learned never to buy these kind of books as they change to fast (revision updates). I'll rely on web based searches from now on