Windows 7 - Revert to Windows Live Essentials 2009!

I have no idea how long this URL will be out there folks, but you can get WLE 2009/2010 back on your Windows OS.

This pertains to Hotmail, MSN and Live email accounts. All the folders you have created in Windows Live Mail are synchronized with the Hotmail server. Therefore, once you have completed this task, all your folders, email and contacts will reappear in WLM 2009. POP3 and IMAP email accounts that you have created in the program---all those folders and email will need to be backed-up before doing the following steps. If you have moved any Hotmail, MSN or Live email into Storage Folders also need to be backed-up as well OR moved back to any of the Synchronized Folders. (thank you roncerr for reminding me)

Be sure you uninstall WLE 2011 through Add/Remove (XP) or Programs and Features (Vista, Windows 7), then un-hide folders and go to User, appdata, Local, Microsoft, Programs etc. Find folder named; Windows Live*anthing* and delete them. If you have the new CCleaner, run that and it's registry cleaner.

Download the WLE 2009 version from here, It's near the bottom of the page on the left side. SAVE the file to your hard drive for future reinstalls or repairs.
From WLM 2011 to 2009 in Windows Live Mail Desktop

I did a lot of research on this today and the world is not embracing WLE 2011. In one of my early posts about the streamlined look of WLE 2009's Toolbar, I had a feeling others might not like the change as well.

Some like the direct links to social networking sites but many of the posts over the past 72 hours are showing a huge contempt for Skydrive and not being able to get a simple attachment of an image when you right-click a photo and "sendto" "email recipient". (that's a big beef of mine too).

Lastly. Be sure to HIDE the Windows Update for Windows Live Essentials 2011!!! To hide an update visit Windows Update and right-click on the update, choose Hide.

Thanks for the info Ace

I'd have to admit I quite like the new WLE2011 and the good thing about Messenger is that you can put it into compact view just like in previous versions

Windows Live Messenger - Change to Full or Compact View

Am I the only 1 that likes it? Seems there's not many fans out there

I guess it all depends on what you are use to. If you like Office 2003/2007 then all the tabs on the Toolbar are familiar. If you are a person who likes to network with FaceBook and YouTube, life got easier with this upgrade. However, with WLM 2009 every day emails are fast and easy just like they were with Outlook, Outlook Express and Windows Maill. For M$ email clients, everthing was "easy-breezy" with Windows Live Mail 2009. The major change was like plopping Vista into a Windows XP users lap and saying, "have at it!". A lot more eye candy and a whole lot of extra "stuff". And a big plus for Windows Live (IMO). You get to use your synchronized hotmail or Live email account. The calendar sends me my appointment reminders through Messenger---I love that! I would be lost without the Calendar reminders. I am a right-clicker as well. When I browse my images and want to send large ones, that ability to choose the 640 x 480 during "sendto" is wonderful. You can do that in WLE 2011 but the outcome is not "just an attachment". You have to insert photos to get them attached rather than have them transformed immediately into a photo album--then up, up and away to Skydrive. You have that option in WLM 2009 but can easily opt out when you do your first right-click, "sendto". I teach so many PC skills on a daily basis around the world that I get a lot of feedback from my clients. My niche' on the web is very personal and I get to speak with PC users of all levels during remote sessions. I feel, in all honesty, I have a pretty good finger on the pulse of the residential computer users in Western Society.

I like It. Don't see why everyones complaining about it.

I have absolutely no issues with it. Live Writer works, Movie Maker works, photo gallery works. That's all I use...

That's great guys! But for those that don't, it was and is a real nightmare.

I love it except one small tiny annoying forced feature... The whole social networking aspect to WLM... they removed the Display name, you have to log into the panel to add new people, just ANYONE can search and find new random people to add... its juts like facebook.... :S

I am sticking with the streamlined look of WLE 2009. Right clicking on image, sendto, allows you to resize images--2011 does not. The emoticons in 2011 look crappy too. The emoticons used here in the forum are the same as WLE 2009, they look solid, detailed and simply, nicer. The ones in 2011 look all spazzed-out and cheap looking, like someone scratched them out quickly with a colored pencil.

We all have our prferences and between being able to totally skip Skydrive, being able to resize with a right click sendto and a skinny Menu Bar that's easily customized. I'm sticking with WLE 2009 for as long as is possible.

Here is a Bing search with the key words "global opinion windows live mail 2011" and chose one of many Reviews by Users of WLE 2011.

This url is IMHO the world view in general of Window Live Mail 2011. Just do your own search and see for yourself. If YOU like 2011, good for you! I'm not trying to convince anyone to switch, I'm trying help others understand how to switch back to 2009.

This post is for anyone who would say "I don't know why anyone wouldn't like it?" And actually mean that question when they could search the WWW for every opinion under the sun.

My signature is quoting myself, something I have been telling Windows Users for about five years.

Who knows? Maybe M$ will create a download that will add a feature to change the look and behavior of WLM 2011 to what would be called Legacy UI 2009.

I am desperate to change back to WLM 2009! 2011 is horrible! I want to be able to adapt my own toolbar (or ribbon, whatever they want to call it) so that I can QUICKLY see if there's anything stuck in the Outbox / switch to 'Sent' etc. Frankly I find nothing in 2011 preferable to 2009. (PS The fact that I started using Computers in the 1970's may make not only me but my views archaic.)