The growth of Windows Live into its next stage of evolution has been synonymous with the revamping of all aspects of the Microsoft online suite of products and services. The multifaceted Windows Live debuted its transition into a new generation in mid 2007, with Chris Jones, corporate vice president, Windows Live Experience Program Management announcing a renewed focus on the Software + Services business strategy. In this context, the 26th of June, 2007 was a turning point for the suite of products and services introduced on the 1st of November, 2005. By November 2007, Microsoft has all but wrapped up, moving Windows Live into its next phase.

Still, the Redmond company has to make available all the RTM versions of Windows Live products as Critical update. But, it will slowly get there, as it has just made another step in this direction, with the launch of Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Toolbar. The Microsoft Update team has informed about the two new updates, coming via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

"Update for Windows Live Photo Gallery (KB 944990) - This critical update will apply to the latest version of Windows Live Photo Gallery Beta users. The RTM version of this software fixes critical issues, performance issues, and bugs in the beta software. It is recommended that all beta users move to the released version of the software," a member of the MU Team revealed.

Windows Live Photo Gallery, the upgrade of the Windows Photo gallery application that ships by default with Windows Vista, is accompanied by Update For Windows Live Toolbar (KB944786) - "This critical updates will move all Windows Live Toolbar 3.x users to Windows Live Toolbar 3.01.0000.0146. The 3.01.0000.0146 version of this software fixes critical and crash issues in previous 3.x version of the software," the MU team member added.

The Critical updates for Photo Gallery and Toolbar are in this manner added to those for the RTM builds of Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Writer dropped at the end of November. There are two more products that will be served as Critical updates via Microsoft: Windows Live Messenger 8.5 and Family Safety from Windows Live OneCare.