Microsoft will end support for Windows Essentials next year

Microsoft is ending support for the Windows Essentials package. The bundle including Live Mail and Writer, which was last updated in 2012, can no longer be downloaded from January 10, 2017.

On the package download page, Microsoft announces the end of support with a banner. The Windows Essentials package consists of Live Mail, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery, Messenger and Writer. The installer also includes software for using OneDrive, but it remains available separately. Microsoft Security Essentials is not part of the package.

The company already canceled the integration of Microsoft accounts in Windows Live Mail in May. However, the e-mail program can still send and receive e-mails by connecting to mail servers using pop3 or imap. Microsoft took Live Messenger offline in 2013.

Microsoft now offers an alternative for many software, such as the Mail and Photos apps in Windows 10 and Skype as the successor to Messenger. However, many users complain that these programs contain fewer features. Microsoft indicates that Movie Maker for Windows 10 will soon be available for download in the Windows Store and is directing Writer users to the open source fork Open Live Writer.

The first public version of the Windows Essentials package was released in 2009. The package succeeded a number of programs that were bundled with Windows Vista, but had to be downloaded separately from Windows 7 onwards. It was popular among users because it includes many free features that cost money from other software manufacturers.