Windows Mail and Windows Live Mail might seem slightly different at first glance, but they have some pointed differences you should know. Windows Mail came installed on Windows Vista computers while Windows Live Mail was available as a separate download when Windows 7 launched. Windows 7 does not come with a desktop e-mail program such as the old Outlook Express or Windows Mail. So, if you want an e-mail program, you’ll need to pony up and pay for Outlook, or you can download the free Windows Live Mail.
As the successor of Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail differs in that it now takes advantage of the cloud computing technology. Windows Mail, as Outlook Express, saved all of your e-mails, folders, and contacts on your local computer’s hard drive. Windows Live Mail allows you to save everything online. This is a plus since the online storage guards against data recovery if your computer crashes. Yes, it’s safe and encrypted. I mention that because anytime online backups or storage is mentioned, the naysayers reply it’s not in your own hands and anyone can get it. If that’s the case, then your own computer can be hacked anytime if you don’t have updated antivirus and antispyware software.
Windows Live Mail has a full featured calendar that you can view online from any computer. The same goes for anything else. If you want to view e-mails and contacts from another computer, go for it with the online syncing ability. Windows Mail doesn’t allow you to see your e-mail from other computers since it’s a desktop software, meaning everything is saved on your computer, not online.
What does Windows Live Mail have that regular Windows Mail doesn’t?
- Live Mail supports more e-mail types – pop3, imap, and http (i.e. gmail)
- More stable – able to hold more e-mail and not freeze as much
- Better organization – each account has its own separate inbox
- Easy access – you can access Live Mail with the tray bar icon and from any other computer
Overall, Windows Live Mail gets a huge thumbs up. It’s the first Microsoft e-mail client of its kind that organizes e-mails, contacts, and calendars. The best of both worlds part comes where you don’t have to always be at the same computer to access your stuff. Since all of your email data is stored on the Microsoft server, you can access it all from any computer with your username and password.
