Windows Live Mail Review: 2nd edition - free email client:

Windows Live Mail Client


Features – 8.5/10 Interface – 8.5/10

Reliability – 8/10 Integration – 9/10

Introduction

Windows Live Mail is a new desktop email client will be replacing the current Outlook Express on Windows XP machines and Windows Mail on Vista machines. This new email client will be free to download and is part of the Windows Live Team's project. As some of you may notice that in some cases, Windows Mail and also Outlook Express will not allow new users to create new email accounts (add a web based mail account such as Hotmail) in the old clients. Thus, they will all be replaced by Windows Live Mail.

Interface

Windows Live Mail has a new interface which fits in well with the ongoing Windows Live green and blue scheme. In addition, it has that new glassy look of other new Windows products. The interface looks stylish, modern and dynamic. The look of the new interface is a big improvement from Outlook Express and also a worthy enhancement from Windows Mail in Vista. The buttons and features are easy to use and straight forward. If you are used to the new web based Hotmail service, then switching to this new client is nearly seamless and easy since they are similar in many ways.

Features

There is also an improvement in features. Besides being able to sync easily with your contacts, Windows Live Mail can also sync and organize your RSS feeds. You can put them in folders and organize just like you would do with emails. There is also a little web search side bar that automatically search the web (using Live search) for similar results that matches with your email. - This is function is mostly for newsletters and subscriptions.

Another feature is called a newsgroup which is for newsletters. Perhaps most people get their newsletter sent to their email inbox, but this feature allows you to have a specific inbox dedicated to newsgroups.

One disadvantage is that although you can create folders, you cannot create folders in another folder. For example, you cannot have ‘Family’ and then inside the Family folder you could have ‘Sister’. To me that is a disadvantage but for simple users, it will just be fine. For those who feel that they need more, Microsoft Outlook is the best option.

Windows Live Mail works well with Hotmail and also Gmail. I have not yet tried Yahoo web mail with Windows Live Mail but I do not recommend it because Yahoo has its own email client which will definitely integrate better with Yahoo web mail.

My Experience: Generally, my experience with Windows Live Mail is very good. I good not say perfect although it is very close to 10 out of 10. I have had no troubles with add accounts, sending mail and receiving mail with attached pictures. The client is fast and easy to use with a nice and modern interface. The only problem that really annoyed me was that for some reason, one of my contacts kept on appearing in the blocked list.

Last Comment: I highly recommend anyone who uses Outlook Express, a web based email services or even Outlook 2003 users to have a look at this new client. It by far is the best free Windows email client there is. For me, Outlook express was just a total mess and chaos. I stopped using it in the second week since I tried it out. Windows Live Mail is a much better client.

To go to official website and download this program, go to http://get.live.com/betas/maildesktop_betas