totally confused...

i'm an old xp/outlook user, (thoroughly unfamiliar with Vista) who recently started using Windows Live Mail on the XP machine, and now have just installed a new, Windows 7 machine. I tried to access the Windows Live Mail account on the new Win7 machine and instead of getting the Windows Live Mail desktop layout, I've gotten Windows Live Hotmail, which ain't the same. Among things I was getting, and needed, from the WLM were ability to save email files to text files, which I had found on a menu bar, and access to a calendar, neither of which seem to show up on the WL Hotmail application.

I'd appreciate it if anyone can suggest how I can get Windows Live MAIL on the new machine and eliminate the Windows Live HOTMAIL application. It also would be great if somebody could point me (and probably many others) to a single source of information about the difference between all of these apparent versions, and how to keep them straight.

Many thanks.

Same problem here! I will be watching this thread

Download the Live Essentials pack. Then choose what you need. It should have been written on a retail box.

I found my live mail by searching the start button..How do you make a short cut for the mail program? On the start up programs I only have windows live Id

theoldgringo said:

i'm an old xp/outlook user, (thoroughly unfamiliar with Vista) who recently started using Windows Live Mail on the XP machine, and now have just installed a new, Windows 7 machine. I tried to access the Windows Live Mail account on the new Win7 machine and instead of getting the Windows Live Mail desktop layout, I've gotten Windows Live Hotmail, which ain't the same. Among things I was getting, and needed, from the WLM were ability to save email files to text files, which I had found on a menu bar, and access to a calendar, neither of which seem to show up on the WL Hotmail application.

I'd appreciate it if anyone can suggest how I can get Windows Live MAIL on the new machine and eliminate the Windows Live HOTMAIL application. It also would be great if somebody could point me (and probably many others) to a single source of information about the difference between all of these apparent versions, and how to keep them straight.

Many thanks.

Windows Live Hotmail is the webmail interface. You use a web browser to access it.
Windows Live Mail is a program you install on your computer to access POP3, IMAP and Microsoft http accounts (Hotmail/Live/MSN).

Download the installer
Mail - Windows Live
and install the programs you want.... it should make itself the default email handler.

OK...got it. Thanks to all for straightening out the basic fact that: Windows Live Mail is the software on my machine; Windows Live Hotmail is the web-based service. (Probably extremely evident to those who have used the web services in the past, but not so to one who's used client software served by ISPs.)

I discovered that Windows Live Mail was installed on my Windows 7 machine, but evidence of such was lurking at the bottom of a scroll list of "All Programs" on the start menu. (Having been used to the XP fullscreen display of all programs, I was neglecting to scroll down. Now I know.)

Thanks again.