Windows Live Mail for Windows 7

Edward, Windows Live Mail works perfectly well for me and about 75 of my clients.  Windows Update is so terribly messed up lately, you are fortunate that Microsoft no longer "supports" it.  The 2012 version was the last version.

If you have the 2011 version, you are golden.  If you have the 2012 version, it is not as good, but still works just fine.   In any event, it is the best mail program there is and you want to keep it. Unfortunately, you will soon not be able to get it again if a re-install becomes necessary.  I suggest you download it from here and keep it in a safe place should it ever be necessary to re-install:  http://web.archive.org/web/20170112124505/http://wl.dlservice.microsoft.com/download/C/1/B/C1BA42D6-6A50-4A4A-90E5-FA9347E9360C/en/wlsetup-all.exe 

The first thing you do if WLM is giving you problems:

1. Check the Outbox folder.  If there are messages there, one or more is likely corrupted and blocking flow.
2. Do a repair of WLM:
3. Start globe (bottom left)
4. Control Panel
5. Uninstall a program
6. Find Windows Live Essentials in the list and click it
7. Then click Repair.
8. In worst case, assuming you have a full copy downloaded, uninstall it and re-install.

Windows 10 does not use WLM. 

WLM is an outstanding product.  I have been using it for about 4 years now and I have installed it on many client computers, including some that were using Outlook.  In my opinion, WLM is a better product than Outlook.

WLM is part of a whole package of products called Windows Live Essentials.  It was created a number of years ago in one of those Microsoft attempts to out-AOL, AOL.  It failed and the huge staff that created it were dispersed, but the mail item (WLM) was such a success, it keeps dragging Microsoft along.

There is a 2012 version of Windows Live Essentials which will probably work ok for you as long as you do not use “groups” in your contacts.  They screwed up that part in the 2012 version.  If you do use groups, you want the 2011 version. 

When you download this, at one point it will ask you which components of Windows Live Essentials you want to install.  Uncheck all but the Mail component.  When you start WLM for the first time, it will search for importable contacts, mail accounts and mail and automatically import it all.  So have your backed-up message store and contact files on the computer before you start WLM.

WLM is a very problematic product for Microsoft and many others.  In fact, Gmail has recently caused a problem by tagging WLM as a less than secure one.  You need to lower the security level on your Gmail account to get it to export to WLM.

The reason WLM is not desirable to them is that it takes away the opportunity to profile you and throw ads in your face on the web mail product.  A strength to the average user and a weakness to those trying to make money by pushing those ads in your face.

When you have WLM in place and you have it working the way you want it to.  I suggest you change the frequency of checking for new mail from 20 minutes to 2.

Also, I recommend moving the message store from the default location, about 7 levels down up to a higher level so you can easily find it to do backups.  WLM includes a Move tool to do this.

Once installed in your computer, you may need assistance in setting up the account structure to interface with your email provider(s).

Perhaps I should have said you need an email service rather than a program. Just as an example, I use the mail program/service my ISP, Cox Communications, offers. But rather than going to their website to read the mail, I have it downloaded to my email client, Thunderbird. I could have it download to Windows Live Mail if I wanted to, but I have never liked that client.

If you want to try Thunderbird, you can have that installed and working right alongside of Windows Live Mail. Just have both set to leave copies of the messages on the server for a few days so you can fetch them from both clients. If you prefer Windows Live Mail, fine. If you like Thunderbird, then use that.

Windows Live Mail 2012 was broken when it was released and never fixed. As far as I'm concerned, it was and is a garbage email client, but others feel differently. Although support just recently ended, one could argue it was never supported. Thunderbird upgrades often.

• Windows 7 came with no email client at all.
• Windows 7 is still supported.
• Windows Live Mail is an email client that support has ended, period.
• Win 8x and Win10 have no email clients.

Gmail, for example is an email program.  Windows Live Mail and Thunderbird are email clients. You still need an email program before you use an email client.

Rehash your question and post back. I used Outlook Express for ages, but when WLMail was the only MS option, I went to Thunderbird and have no regrets.

Bruce: I appreciate your reply but am slightly confused. You are using 'Thunderbird' from Mozilla which you state is an email **'client'**and to use it you must have an email 'program'. I thought that Windows Live Mail is an email program whereby if deleted, 'Thunderbird' wouldn't work but you state that Windows Live Mail is an 'email client'. So what is the email program associated with Windows 7 allowing Thunderbird to work? I feel that if I delete my Windows Live Mail program that Thunderbird wouldn't work!