Windows Live Gallery

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Windows Live Gallery
DeveloperMicrosoft
Final release
13.0.1180.0516 / June 15, 2008 (2008-06-15)
TypeDigital distribution marketplace
WebsiteArchived official website at the Wayback Machine (archive index)

Windows Live Gallery (codenamed Customise) was an online digital distribution marketplace by Microsoft. During it's operation, users could download desktop gadgets for Windows Vista and 7, web gadgets for pages such as Windows Live Home, Internet Explorer browser extensions, extras for Windows Live Messenger, and add-ons for Microsoft Windows and Windows Live services.

Windows Live Gallery was launched on July 24, 2006,[1] but was officially retired on October 1, 2011.[2]

History

Since its launch on July 24, 2006,[1] Windows Live Gallery held repository for the following Windows and Windows Live services and products:

ServiceReason for removal from Windows Live Gallery
Gadgets for Live.comLive.com's successor Windows Live Personalized Experience was discontinued on March 30, 2010[3]
Gadgets for Windows Live Spaces and Windows Live EventsGadgets on Windows Live Spaces were removed in June 2010,[4] Windows Live Events discontinued on September 3, 2009[5]
Live.com CollectionsLive.com's successor Windows Live Personalized Experience was discontinued on March 30, 2010[3]
Windows Live Toolbar Buttons and Custom ButtonsWindows Live Toolbar discontinued since the launch of Windows Live Essentials 2011 (Wave 4)
Windows Search add-ins and applicationsReplaced by IFilters
Live Search MacrosLive Search Macros discontinued since the launch of Bing on June 3, 2009
Windows Live AgentsWindows Live Agents was discontinued in Summer 2009[6]
Windows Live Messenger Emoticons, Winks, Display Pictures and ActivitiesReplaced by third-party services such as Quebles and WeeMee
Windows Live Writer add-insReplaced by http://plugins.live.com on December 13, 2010[7]
Windows Desktop GadgetsDiscontinued in favor of Metro-styled apps in Windows 8.[2] Several highest-rated gadgets remain available on Windows Personalization Gallery.
Windows SideShowDiscontinued in favor of Metro-styled apps in Windows 8.[2]

Developers

Windows Live Gallery integrated the Microsoft Points micropayment system which also powers Zune and Xbox Live purchases. It created a marketplace for developers to showcase their works, and if chose to, receive payment for their efforts. Developers who have partnered with Windows Live Gallery could set up their own virtual shops.[8]

Jeff, Wei Jie, Junaid and Misha were generally regarded as the most prolific and critical members of the Gallery team.

See also

References

  1. "Windows Live Gallery Beta launches today". LiveSide. July 24, 2006. Archived from the original on January 5, 2011.
  2. "Looking for gadgets?". Windows. Microsoft. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011.
  3. "My.Live.com decommission delayed until March 30, 2010". LiveSide. March 17, 2010. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011.
  4. "Windows Live Solution Center - Removed the ability to add Gadgets to Spaces". Archived from the original on 2010-07-11. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  5. "Windows Live Calendar updated, Events discontinued". LiveSide. September 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 12, 2012.
  6. "Windows Live Agents 5.1 SDK released, to be retired in 2009". LiveSide. November 26, 2008. Archived from the original on November 24, 2011.
  7. "A (new?) home for Windows Live plugins: plugins.live.com". LiveSide. December 13, 2010. Archived from the original on December 19, 2010.
  8. "Windows Live Gallery gets update - Adds Microsoft Points for micropayments". LiveSide. October 26, 2007. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007.