- Microsoft Windows Essentials 2019
- Microsoft Windows Essentials 2012
- Microsoft Windows Essentials Windows 7
Windows Essentials (also called Windows Live Essentials) was a suite of desktop applications that included various Microsoft programs, like Messenger, Mail, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery, Writer, and OneDrive.
Download Microsoft Security Essentials 4.10.0209.0 for Windows. Fast downloads of the latest free software! Microsoft Security Essentials. For some time now, Microsoft has been developing its own antivirus software. Microsoft Security Essentials is a pack of tools designed for Windows 7 and earlier that adds a number of non-standard features.
The last version of the suite was released in 2012, with the final update in 2014, and reached end of support on January 10, 2017. Microsoft removed the pack from its site last year, and while it is officially no longer available for download, you can still get it -- if you know how. And the good news is tools like Movie Maker work fine on Windows 10.
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On Microsoft’s Windows Essentials page, the software giant helpfully points out that:
Any websites offering free downloads of Windows Movie Maker are not offering sanctioned Microsoft products. Be cautious as these products may contain viruses or hidden costs.
This is a valid point, but you can download Microsoft Windows Live Essentials 2012 from the Internet Archive, which is a very safe source.
The suite contains:
- Photo Gallery
- Movie Maker
- Mail (support limited)
- Messenger (no longer functional)
- Writer (newer version available, note: Newer version no longer developed directly by Microsoft)
- OneDrive (newer version available)
Microsoft Windows Essentials 2019
It requires you to be running Windows 7, or later, and as you might expect from a suite that hasn’t been updated in 4 years, some programs -- Messenger in particular -- don’t work anymore. However, Movie Maker and Windows Photo Viewer run without problems on Microsoft’s newest OS.
You can download the suite from the Internet Archive here. It’s a 131MB file, and you have the choice of downloading it directly from the site (slow) or as a torrent file (much faster).
While the option to install all of Windows Essentials was the recommended choice back in 2012, you’ll want to select 'Choose the programs you want to install' now and just pick the required tools.
Naturally, running old, unsupported software isn't a great idea, but if you're desperate for one of these programs, this is the safest way to get it.
Note: If it throws up an error during installation, you'll probably find it has installed anyway. If not, make sure you're running English (United States) as your default language.
Image credit: Spectral-Design/Shutterstock
We're no longer offering the Windows Essentials 2012 suite for download, but if you already have it installed, it will continue to work as it does today. It reached end of support on January 10, 2017, and it isn't available in Windows 10.
Note: Any websites offering free downloads of Windows Movie Maker are not offering sanctioned Microsoft products. Be cautious as these products may contain viruses or hidden costs.
Windows Essentials 2012 included:
Windows Movie Maker
Windows Photo Gallery
Windows Live Writer
Windows Live Mail
Windows Live Family Safety
OneDrive desktop app for Windows
For similar features, you can upgrade to Windows 10. For example, the latest version of the Photos app allows you to create and edit videos with music, text, motion, filters, and 3D effects. Visit Microsoft Store for more video creation and editing apps.
Microsoft Windows Essentials 2012
Windows 10 also offers many other features similar to Windows Essentials, such as updated email, family safety, and OneDrive.
Microsoft Windows Essentials Windows 7
Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020
We recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.