In January 10, 2017, Microsoft Windows Essentials 2012 suite will reach end of support. So what does this mean to the users and what are the alternatives, you can find the answers here.
Like all things in the IT world, like devices, bits of tech and software applications; all good things have to come to an end. In this case, it’s time for Microsoft’s Windows Essentials 2012 to hang up its coat and say good bye. However, what does this mean to the many people using the applications that was freely available from Microsoft.
What is Windows Live Essentials?
The software suite included “essential” applications that allowed the user to carry out a set of every day tasks on their computer, these included: Photo Gallery, everything you need to organise, edit, and publish your photos. Movie Maker, for making movies from your photos and videos. Windows Live Writer, for creating blog posts in minutes. Windows Live Mail, to manage multiple email accounts, calendars, and your contacts. OneDrive, which allows you to keep your files synchronised on all your devices and Messenger, which was very popular back in the day and allowed users to chat with one another. Most of these applications have been absorbed into the latest version of Windows, however the the main application that will cause many readers a problem will be Windows Live Mail. 
What is the main problem?
Since Windows Live Mail’s introduction back in 2012 email has moved on dramatically, more and more people are now using multiple devices like smartphones and tablets to access their emails and the way those emails are handled has also moved on. Most service providers now use the modern IMAP method of accessing emails instead of the old POP3 method which is less secure and not compatible with users who have multi-devices. So what are the alternatives?
What are your options?
Stay as you are – You could opt to keep using the software, you won’t get support for it and you might find things not working correctly especially if you are using a Hotmail, Live Mail, MSN Mail, Outlook.com and Office 365 email service as Microsoft plans are to move them to one singular Outlook.com system.
Office 365 Subscription – You could invest in Microsoft’s Office 365 annual subscription which provides the latest version of the Office suite which includes Outlook. Although there is a price tag to this option (currently £60 for a personal subscription – annually) it does have the benefit of providing the latest version of the Office suite, 1TB of cloud storage and 60 mins of Skype credit per month. You also have the licence to install the Office suite on a tablet device which could be an Android, iPad or Windows.
Outlook.com – If you don’t want to pay for Office annually you can access your emails via the web. This is how most people without Outlook installed on their PC access their emails. However, there are limitations with this method with the interface and does require some thought in some processes like attaching files, however it is free and easily accessible on any web device.
Mail – If you have an up to date PC running Windows 8.1 and above, there is a simple mail app installed. This has reduced functionality and is designed to provide a overly reduced interface to access your emails.
To conclude, if you are using this software I would advise start looking at alternatives and don’t leave it to the last minute especially if you rely on Windows Live Mail for accessing your emails.