Windows Live Downloads

Infobox Software
name = Windows Live Downloads


caption = Windows Live Downloads homepage
developer = Microsoft
operating_system =
genre = Product lab
website = [http://download.live.com http://download.live.com]

Windows Live Downloads (previously "Windows Live Betas" and "Windows Live Ideas") is a website launched in November 2005 to promote the first Windows Live services, all of which remained in beta until some began to release final versions in the summer of 2006. The site includes links to try out the services, sign up for the betas, learn more about each service, and read team blogs. The site also included links to other "Live" offerings, initially featuring Xbox Live, Office Live, and Live Jobs.

Beta Services

There are three ways Microsoft can distribute its Windows Live beta products:
*Managed Beta Program - distributed via Microsoft Connect. It feature high levels of interaction with the product teams and may provide private newsgroup access. Usually the number of beta testers is highly restricted.
*Closed Beta Program - distributed via the previous "Windows Live Ideas". It require beta testers to sign-in with their authorised Windows Live ID account to the website before accessing or downloading the beta products. This allows more users to participate than the Managed Beta Program. Products with Managed Beta Program typically get expanded to become Closed Beta Program, alternatively products can go straight into a Closed Beta Program (such as the Windows Live TV beta).
*Open Beta Program - distributed via Windows Live Betas. There are basically none or very few restrictions placed on who can participate in testing the beta product. An example of a Windows Live beta service in this stage would be Windows Live Writer.

However as of April 12, 2007, "Windows Live Ideas" has become Windows Live Betas, causing the Closed Beta Program to be unavailable due to the inability to sign-in to the new website. Since September 17, 2008, Windows Live Betas has been redirected to Windows Live Downloads with the release of the first betas of the Windows Live "Wave 3" suite.

Windows Live beta services

Current Windows Live beta services available on the website include:
* Windows Live Family Safety
* Windows Live Mail
* Windows Live Messenger
* Windows Live Movie Maker
* Windows Live Photo Gallery
* Windows Live Toolbar
* Windows Live WriterAll of the above applications are for the newer 2009 versions which are currently under beta testing.

In addition, the following services are still currently under public beta testing, however are not displayed on the website anymore due to the migration to Windows Live Downloads:
* Live Search QnA
* Live Search Product Upload
* Windows Live Calendar

Released Services

* Live.com
* Live Search Maps
* Live Search Products
* Windows Live Admin Center
* Windows Live Alerts
* Windows Live Expo
* Windows Live Favorites
* Windows Live Gallery
* Windows Live Hotmail
* Windows Live Messenger
* Windows Live Mail
* Windows Live OneCare
* Windows Live OneCare Family Safety
* Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner
* Windows Live SkyDrive
* Windows Live Toolbar
* Windows Live Writer
* Soapbox on MSN Video
* Windows Live for Mobile
** Live Search Mobile
** Windows Live Hotmail Mobile
** Windows Live Messenger Mobile
** Windows Live for Windows Mobile

ee also

*Google Labs
*Yahoo! Next
*News Lab

External links

* [http://get.live.com/betas Windows Live Betas]
* [http://sandbox.msn.com/ MSN Sandbox] (out of date, possibly retired)