MSN Explorer
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| File:MSN Explorer.PNG MSN Explorer Version 6 | |
| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 9.60.0053.2200
/ 2008 |
| Operating system | Windows Vista, Windows XP and predecessors |
| Platform | Microsoft Windows |
| Website | membercenter |
MSN Explorer is a web browser, developed by Microsoft, that integrates MSN and Windows Live features such as Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger with a web browser. To make use of these services requires a Windows Live ID (formerly known as a Microsoft Passport or .NET Passport). MSN Explorer is essentially a graphics-heavy version of Internet Explorer, and could be termed an Internet Explorer shell: this means it is a Trident based browser.
History
Version 6 of MSN Explorer is built into Windows XP. Version 7 was released at the same time on Windows XP. MSN 8 and 9 were released in 2002 and 2004 respectively.
Development of the free version of MSN Explorer was halted in favor of a version only available with MSN Internet Access, though the last free version (Version 7) for those without an MSN Service Provider is still available.
As of version 9, users must pay and subscribe to use MSN Explorer. It also requires a user to have a Windows Live ID, though depending on the version may or may not require a subscription to other MSN Services. The interface also includes many Flash animations. Versions later than 9.5 are compatible with Windows Vista. Version 9.6 was released in June 2008 and includes revisions necessary for a newer mailbox synchronization technology and to replace the MSN Parental Controls menu options with links to the new Windows Live Family Safety.
Hotmail synchronization
MSN Explorer, until the migration of Hotmail to the Windows Live brand, also provided a user interface for navigating one's @msn.com e-mail inbox and folders, also known as "MSN Mail". The user interface, much like the other user interface features of MSN Explorer, utilized relatively-responsive animations which would not become commonplace until AJAX became a normal feature in webmail user interfaces. MSN Mail was only available to paid users.
Features
- Favorites
- Windows Live Hotmail
- Calendar
- Windows Live Address Book
- Windows Live Messenger
- MSN Photos
- Windows Live Spaces
- MSN Encarta
- MSN Entertainment
- MSN Money
- MSN Shopping
- Download Manager
- Windows Live Search
See also
References
External links
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