Efficiently manage multiple email accounts directly from your desktop without needing a browser
Efficiently manage multiple email accounts directly from your desktop without needing a browser
Vote (113 votes)
Program license Free
Version 2012 16.4.3522
Works under Windows
Vote
(113 votes)
Works under
Windows
Program license
Free
Version
2012 16.4.3522
Pros
- A great email client with many features and an excellent design.
- Support for multiple email accounts is available.
- Everything is intuitive and advanced features are plentiful.
Cons
- Official support for the product ended in 2017.
- Most recent update has caused bugs for many users.
- Some email clients offer more features and extras.
Windows Live Mail Desktop is an email client designed for Windows PCs. Microsoft released the client as part of its Microsoft Essentials 2012 bundle. Since its initial release, the program has become quite popular among users as a powerful tool. A given person can manage their email accounts in one place. This particular client is designed for productivity and offers plenty of features for basic and power users alike. With that being said, how does Windows Live Mail stack up?
A Program That's Beloved By Dedicated Users
By description alone, Windows Live Mail might sound a lot like Microsoft Outlook. The programs are quite similar, but Live Mail is designed for general and business use. Downloading and installing Live Mail will present users with a simple user interface. Within the program, users will encounter various menus on the toolbar. Everything is set up in an intuitive and sensible manner without too many unnecessary options.
In Live Mail, a user can manage multiple email accounts from multiple providers. Everything from Outlook to Gmail and Yahoo! Mail are supported here. Composing emails couldn't be easier. Live Mail takes email management to the next level by providing users with an incredible work environment. As a standalone client, Windows Live Mail does most things right by giving users a lot of tools and solutions in a nice layout.
For instance, a user can switch between email accounts at the tap of a button. The All Inboxes option gives the user a master list of their emails. It's a simple task to add or remove email addresses. Managing emails, whether in bulk or individually, is simple and quick. In the end, everyone from casual users to power users will love what Live Mail has on offer, and the program has only gotten better over the years.
Wait: There's One Major Downside!
Microsoft announced the end of life for Windows Live Mail awhile back. As of late-2017, Live Mail is no longer receiving official updates and support. Users may see security updates from time to time, but that's it. Many Mail users were upset at this news, and it's a bummer that new users won't get to experience everything the program has to offer. Fortunately, Live Mail will remain at least partially useable going forward.
Is Windows Live Mail Worth Installing?
In years past, nearly everyone would recommend Windows Live Mail. End of life makes the program a lot less worthwhile as no new updates will release. It doesn't help that more competitive alternatives are available in Gmail and other clients. At this point, Windows Live Mail is no longer the incredible program it once was.
Pros
- A great email client with many features and an excellent design.
- Support for multiple email accounts is available.
- Everything is intuitive and advanced features are plentiful.
Cons
- Official support for the product ended in 2017.
- Most recent update has caused bugs for many users.
- Some email clients offer more features and extras.
Pros
- Syncs multiple email accounts for ease of use
- Sends a pop up alert that informs you of new mail
- Shows you details regarding new messages on the home screen
- Lets you send new messages in seconds
- Works with all Microsoft email accounts
Cons
- Requires a stable internet connection
- May not sync responses and messages you send with your regular account
- Only works with registered Windows/Microsoft email accounts
- Lacks some of the features found on other email programs
- Must log in to each account with your registered password
Windows Live Mail Desktop lets you check your email without signing in every time, or even opening your web browser. It's also one of the few email clients that will let you check multiple email accounts.
Though some people use just one email address, others use separate addresses for different purposes. You might use one to stay in touch with family and friends, another for your online accounts, and a third for work or professional reasons. Checking those emails every day can take more time than you would like and leave you wishing you had fewer accounts. With Windows Live Desktop, you can now check all those accounts from the desktop on your computer.
Many people will find that the layout of this email client is similar to other popular clients like Gmail. When you link multiple accounts, it will show you details about each address on the left side of the screen. You'll see the user name for that account at the top and links to your inbox, drafts, sent items, junk mail, and deleted emails beneath it. Next to each link is a small number in parentheses that shows the number of items in each one. It takes just one glance to see if you have new mail that you should read in any of those addresses.
Another great feature is the Quick Views section at the top of the page. This section shows you the number of unread items across all your accounts. You can also see the number of messages you received from registered contacts, the number of messages in all your inboxes, and whether you have any unread feeds. As with other email programs, Windows Live Desktop also lets you respond to messages and organize your messages by date, name, or other details.
Windows Live Mail Desktop sits on your desktop and sends a pop up alert each time you get a new message. That can be annoying at times, especially if you get a lot of junk mail while working. The program doesn't always sync your accounts either, which means that your regular email account may not record a message that you sent with this program. You must also have a stable internet connection to use this program. While Windows Live Mail Desktop does have a few problems, it's a great way to check multiple email accounts at the same time.
Pros
- Syncs multiple email accounts for ease of use
- Sends a pop up alert that informs you of new mail
- Shows you details regarding new messages on the home screen
- Lets you send new messages in seconds
- Works with all Microsoft email accounts
Cons
- Requires a stable internet connection
- May not sync responses and messages you send with your regular account
- Only works with registered Windows/Microsoft email accounts
- Lacks some of the features found on other email programs
- Must log in to each account with your registered password
