Microsoft Preps Answer to Google Pack

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Microsofts latest Windows Live offering is for the most part not a new service at all, but rather a one-time download that includes a subset of the available Live applications, much like the Google Pack.

Called Windows Live Essentials, the program also features a new application called Windows Live Dashboard.

The Dashboard would show the user what Live programs are installed and what is available for download, rather than requiring the user to visit the Windows Live Ideas Web site.

/zimages/3/28571.gifMicrosoft embeds links to Windows Live in Windows Vista. Click here to read more.

Although it was not detailed, the new application seems to be optimized at this time for Windows XP SP2 using Internet Explorer 6.x.

At least two programs are slated to come with the download, Windows Live Messenger and Live Mail Desktop beta, although it is likely that other applications would be included as well.

Novice computer users seem to be the target of this latest service.

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