14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has released what it is referring to as the last planned update for Windows Live Essentials Wave 3, as it is gearing up to shift the focus entirely to Wave 4 releases. In this regard, customers running Windows Live Essentials Wave 3 clients, such as Windows Live Messenger 2009, can now deploy a minor refresh, while they’re waiting for the first public beta of Windows Live Essentials Wave 4. Although the Redmond company has yet to confirm anything officially, it appears that the Beta milestone for Windows Live Wave 4 was set for June 2010.
“We released an optional update for Wave 3 of the Windows Live Essentials suite in all 48 languages. This is a minor release that updates Windows Live Messenger, Mail, Family Safety, and Sync. You can install it from Download.Live.com, or through Microsoft Update as an optional update. While this is our last planned update for Wave 3, we will continue to support this release for the foreseeable future as it will be the last version that supports Windows XP,” Arthur de Haan, director, Windows Live Test and System Engineering, revealed.
Current users of Windows Live Essentials Wave 3 should install the latest update as a part of the upgrading process to Wave 4. Microsoft did not offer any specific details, but de Haan did emphasize that the refresh was an important aspect associated with the upcoming delivery of Windows Live Essentials Wave 4.
“This is a minor release with a small set of targeted bug fixes and minor changes. Even though most users will not run into the issues we addressed, we felt they were important to fix. This update also contains a small set of changes to ensure that Essentials supports new advances coming in Wave 4. Rest assured, we’re continuing to work hard on Wave 4 and are in the final stretches,” he added.
Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8117.416 is available for download here.
Windows Live Mail 14.0.8117.416 is available for download here.