Summary: Windows Mail has been removed from Windows 7, along with several other applications. We'll look at where to find their replacements.
I did not realize Windows Mail is not included in Windows 7 Professional. Is there a way to add Windows mail?
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It's true - Outlook Express was replaced by Windows Mail in Windows Vista, but with the release of Windows 7 even that has disappeared, along with Windows Messenger and a few other items.
To be honest, that's good news for those of us who never used these tools.
But for those who did, it means an extra step or three.
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The official replacements are all now part of Windows Live. For Windows Mail, you can now download its replacement, the free Windows Live Mail. Miss your Windows Messenger? Grab Windows Live Messenger.
Microsoft has an page specifically directing you to the replacement applications: Finding your applications in Windows 7 .
So the replacements are there; Microsoft has simply removed the years of duplication by making Windows Live the official, single set of tools you can download and use if you like.
The problem, of course, is migration. The Microsoft page above indicates that you can Import directly from Outlook Express and Windows Mail folders stored on your hard disk. I've also seen advice to actually download and convert to Windows Live Mail before upgrading or installing Windows 7. (There's even one hack out there that supposedly allows you to copy the Windows Mail executable from your Windows Vista system, but I don't recommend it.)
The full list of applications "replaced" by downloads from Windows Live includes:
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Outlook Express -> Windows Live Mail
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Windows Address Book -> Windows Live Mail
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Windows Calendar -> Windows Live Mail
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Windows Contacts -> Windows Live Mail
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Windows Mail -> Windows Live Mail
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Windows Messenger -> Windows Live Messenger
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Windows Movie Maker -> Windows Live Movie Maker
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Windows Photo Gallery -> Windows Live Photo Gallery
And as I alluded to earlier, there's no requirement that you download or use any of these replacements.
In fact, it might be a fine opportunity to evaluate alternatives.
Related:
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What's the difference between Windows Mail, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Hotmail and MSN Hotmail? Microsoft has created a lot of confusion with how it names its mail products. Add the transition from MSN to Windows Live branding and it gets worse.
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How do I upgrade from XP or Vista to Windows 7? The upgrade path from XP to Windows 7 is clear, albeit some work. The path from Vista can be simpler, but I recommend a clean install anyway.
Article C3912 - October 29, 2009
Does Thunderbird do newsgroups, the way OE does???
07-Nov-2009
Posted by: Glenn P. at November 6, 2009 1:13 PM
This is one move that will backfire on Microsoft and will be the start of a significant slide in old users trust. OE has become a trusted institution for its simplicity of use and standardized user interface and there are blessed few of those sort of things in the digital world.
This is a huge mistake for Microsoft and a terrible wrench thrown into a new OS by its absence. I dare say this will be a greater ‘clutch’ issue and aversion than all the user permissions on Vista were … mark my words a huge mistake that will defer people to look at Mac, Linux etc etc!
Posted by: The Canadian Geezer at November 7, 2009 11:34 PMI love windows mail and outlook exspress.
Posted by: Ivica Duspara at November 8, 2009 9:01 PMI is no fair that microsoet is taking them out in wwindows7
Just got Windows 7 and it sucks that the edit/ source/preview tabs that have been in Outlook Express and Windows Mail have been removed from Windows Live Mail, what the heck was the reason for that I wonder?
Posted by: Penny D at November 9, 2009 10:18 AMYes, I'm a hardhead, and Windows 7 SUCKS! Outlook Express is my way of emailing and since it is not included in 7 I have returned to Vista. I have tried the new "Live Mail" and it is not acceptable to me.
Since 7 was a free update I have trashed it and returned to Vista. I pity the poor folks who have to pay for the "update" and find OE not there.
Posted by: Oldcoot at November 10, 2009 6:50 AM7 may be more stable and all that garbage but OE works for me.
This is going to push more people away from Microsoft. How dare they say "you spoke, we listened" then go and take away something and just assume the customers will accept it. Well Microsoft, if you are listening, bring OE back and make it free. I was going to upgrade 3 computers but this move has lost them money. I refuse to buy the software for the other 2 systems.
Posted by: Whattheheck? at November 10, 2009 3:00 PMIsn't this all about "monetizing" e-mail and driving customers to the Microsoft site where you must endure reading your e-mails amidst a perimeter of strobing flash ads?
And this is a web based service. Would anyone be content with a Post Office where you go to read your mail but must leave them there? When I get mail, I want to GET it and keep it if I wish too.
Once Yahoo killed my ID and all my e-mails for some reason I could never find out. I could never even talk to a live person. Just one day - blink! - everything gone.
If you review the TOS for Windows Live Mail, it likely says they can delete your account, at their discretion, at any time, for any reason without notice or explanation.
How is that an improvement?
Posted by: SgtSally at November 15, 2009 4:10 PMCan't believe it, I've paid thousands for a new computer with windows 7 and can't access Outlook express, I have never used any other programe, and don't want to. now what do I do...I did tell the man at Harvey Norman I use outlook he never told me I couldnt use it on windows 7. I feel like packing the whole lot up and dumping it at Harvey Norman,
16-Nov-2009
Posted by: amandacurran@bigpond.com at November 15, 2009 7:07 PM
We buy new computer, new licence new vista, new windows7 et we cannot continue to use Outlook express with nice paper, I don't like to receive white paper and black font to read an email
Posted by: Monique at November 15, 2009 7:57 PMand we are lossing contacts and start over
which trip is it to confuse people or to sell more computer, and more license???
I'm locky a have my old computer with xp and outlook express
There are a number of different versions of Windows 7. A number of "large" dealers are offering Windows 7 OEM for terrific prices. What is cut out from this OEM version? Does it allow for a clean install?
18-Nov-2009
Posted by: Jeffrey Forman at November 17, 2009 11:19 AM