Microsoft is axing Windows Essentials suite

Posted on Wednesday, October 19 2016 @ 14:27 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck

Microsoft announced it will stop supporting Windows Essentials 2012 on January 10, 2017.

Windows Essentials is a software suite that includes a collection of free tools, including Windows Live Mail, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery, Messenger, Writer and OneDrive. The suite will no longer be available for download and will cease to receive security updates when it reaches its end of support date on January 10, 2017.

The software giant offers a list of possible alternatives, but not all of these tools offer the same sort of functionality as the software found in the Windows Essentials suite:

Mail is available as a free built-in application for Windows 8.1 and above.
Photos is available as a free built-in application for Windows 8.1 and above.
Movie Maker will soon be available from Windows Store for Windows 10 users.
Live Writer is available as an open-source solution.
One Drive is an inbox feature for Windows 8.1 and above.
Family Safety is an inbox feature for Windows 8.1 and above.

It's not mentioned on the list from Microsoft, but of course Skype is the replacement for the old Messenger tool.

About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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