Microsoft announced at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2009) in Las Vegas that it had finalized the development of Windows Live Essentials. Moving forward with he development of the Windows client, the company has stripped away some of the traditional default components of the operating system, and made them available under the Windows Live Essentials brand umbrella.

In this context, via the released to web (RTW) builds of the Windows Live Essentials applications, users will be able to download and deploy through a single installer the Redmond company's instant messaging, email and blogging clients, the digital photo and movie viewing application, as well as a security tool with parental features and the latest version of the toolbar.

“We're announcing the worldwide availability of the new Windows Live Essentials that includes Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail, and the Windows Live Photo Gallery. It's final. It's free. And it works on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and the new Windows 7 beta,” Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer revealed.

In mid-December 2008 the Redmond giant made available for download a Beta refresh of Windows Live Essentials. At that time, the software manufacturer indicated that the components reunited under the Windows Live Essentials were not yet ready for general availability, and that additional rough corners had to soften out before the final release. On January 7, 2009, Microsoft timed the release of Windows Live Essentials RTW with that of the first Betas for Windows 7 and Windows 7 Server (Windows Server 2008 R2).

“In completing the Windows experience with Windows Live – we are announcing tonight the final release of Windows Live Essentials,” Brandon LeBlanc, Windows communications manager on the Windows Client Communications Team, explained. “We are also announcing two key partnerships tonight for Windows Live: Facebook and Dell. In the next few months, Facebook users will be able to share activities and updates from Facebook with their Windows Live network. And Dell will be pre-installing Windows Live Essentials on their consumer and small business PCs.”

Windows Live Essentials Messenger is available for download here.

Windows Live Essentials Mail is available for download here.

Windows Live Essentials Writer is available for download here.

Windows Live Essentials Photo Gallery is available for download here.

Windows Live Essentials Movie Maker beta is available for download here.

Windows Live Essentials Family Safety is available for download here.

Windows Live Essentials Toolbar is available for download here.