Mischa Kroon

Ok, so what is Windows Live Mail Desktop ?

Windows Live Mail, formerly known as Windows Live Mail Desktop is the new Mail Client from Microsoft which is their replacement for Outlook Express (supplied with Windows XP) and Windows Mail (supplied with Vista). 

What does it do ? And how well does it do it ?

Well the same thing Outlook Express does only more :)

• Synchronization with Windows Live Contacts
  • It uses the central contacts list you also use in Hotmail + Live Messenger (MSN), so update one of those and this will follow and vice versa, there is also a nice interface to manipulate your contacts with Avatars for better recognitino and extra information (contact also on Messenger etc.)
• Support for RSS feeds, which requires and uses Internet Explorer 7's RSS capabilities, including the ability to reply directly via email to the author of an item that appears in an RSS feed, as well as multiple feed aggregation into a single folder
  • Haven't tried this out yet since I'm still a hold out on IE 7
• The usage of Emoticons in e-mails and other functions
  • Some will call this a non feature but hey I like it :)
• In-line spell checking
  • Always good to have a spell checker running :)
• Separate inbox folders for different POP accounts
  •  It has seperate folders for your e-mail accounts by default but it also has a united folder for all email, this is just an extra way of getting to your e-mail faster.
• SPAM / Phishing Filter
  • You know you want it :) It has been a bit too aggressive on my accounts but I don't really mind that too much. Just make sure you check your SPAM folder every now and then.
• Blog integration
  • Haven't tried it out yet. My guess this is Live Spaces only
• Reply with IM (MSN)
  • I like it especially when it's coupled with offline messaging, you can just reply to e-mails or the one who sent you the email by instant messaging which can be preferred especially when the person is online and you want a clarification or something else.
• Really fast search in Emails
  • I missed this in Outlook / Outlook Express so much.
• Minimize as tray icon function
  • Saves room in the taskbar + uses very little memory like that.
• Good integration with Hotmail accounts
  • How I hate the slowness of the new Windows Live Hotmail interface compared to this nice desktop interface. No longer do I have to sort to get to the right email form 4 years back :P
• Upgraded interface
  • It looks quite nice
• Calendar integration
  • Online Live Calendar / Hotmail calendar integrated.
• Import your settings from Outlook Express
  • A must have :)
• Integration with Windows Live Messenger
  • Send IM's, view Avatars in the e-mail view pane
• More intelligent show Images function
  • You already viewed the Image once, oh well then you don't have to say you want to view it the next time you open the e-mail
• Use of color scheme's
  • Doesn't do much for me but I'm sure some others will like it :)

What's cool about it ?

All the things listed above :) and the fact that nobody seems to be talking about it yet :)

What isn't cool about it ?

• It's memory usage can get a little high, I think 74 MB was my maximum usage, which is a bit much for a lightweigth e-mail client.
• No direct support for Exchange Servers (Outlook only feature)
•  It's still in Beta
• It might get Ad supported :(
• You have to log into it using what seems to be a passport account, this means one extra enter / mouse click on your part. (can be disabled in the settings)

Verdict

This will be my new e-mail client for home / private mail usage.
For work I will probably stick with Outlook for the Exchange integration and that's probably just how Microsoft intends it to be.

If it doesn't get back the ads in the interface this will be the new default mail client for a lot of people.

Where do I get it ?

It seems not every browser will show the same ideas.live.com so here is the direct download link:
http://g.live.com/1rebeta/WLMC_EN