Windows LiveWindows Live™

Essentials: System requirements 

Windows Live Essentials require the following:

  • Operating system: Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (32-bit edition only), Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit editions), Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit editions), or Windows Server 2008.
    Note
    Windows Live Movie Maker and the slide show feature of Windows Live Photo Gallery are not supported on Windows XP.
  • Processor: 1 GHz or higher for Windows 7 or Windows Vista; 800 MHz or higher for Windows XP.
  • Memory: 512 MB of RAM for Windows 7 or Windows Vista; 128 MB (256 MB or more recommended) for Windows XP.
  • Resolution: Minimum 1024 x 768
  • Internet connection: Internet functionality requires dial-up or broadband Internet access (provided separately). Local or long-distance charges may apply.
  • Browser: Windows Live Toolbar requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, Internet Explorer 7, or Internet Explorer 8.
  • Graphics or video card: Windows Live Movie Maker requires a video card that supports DirectX 9.0 or higher, and Shader Model 2.0 or higher.
View detailed release notes (pdf)
View detailed release notes (xps)

Additional requirements

The following components are needed for specific Windows Live programs, and may be installed for you if they’re not already on your computer.
  • For Writer: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 or higher*
  • For Photo Gallery: SQL 2005 Compact Edition and Windows Imaging Codecs*
  • For Photo Gallery and Movie Maker: Some components of DirectX9.
* Not required when installing on Windows 7 or Windows Vista.
Note
To install or uninstall Windows Live products, you must have administrator rights on the computer.
Depending on how your computer is set up, you may see a few security messages before installation begins.
  1. Where you see a company or publisher listed in a security message, make sure the company name is Microsoft Corporation. If so, then it is safe to click Run, Continue, or Allow.
  2. The installer will open. Select the programs you want to install*, and then click Next.
    *Previously installed Windows Live programs will also be updated if you don't have the latest versions installed yet.
  3. Sit back and relax, or do other things on your computer while you wait. Installation shouldn't take more than a few minutes on a broadband connection.
  4. When it's done, you'll find your new programs in the Windows Live folder on the Windows Start menu.

Get all these programs, or just a few—they’re free!

Clicking "Download" means you agree to the Microsoft service agreement and privacy statement. The download may include updates to Windows Live programs you already have. You’ll get future updates to these and other Microsoft programs from Microsoft Update. Learn more
If your installation doesn’t start right away, check the system requirements, or click Try again.
Trying again downloads a standalone installer to your computer. This takes a little while, but may work better, depending on your connection settings.