Windows Live Gallery


Windows Live Gallery was a part of Windows Live range of services. It was a center for gadgets, extensions and add-ons for Windows and Windows Live services.
Windows Live Gallery was officially retired on October 1, 2011.

History

Since its launch on July 24, 2006, 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
Gadgets for Windows Live Spaces and Windows Live EventsGadgets on Windows Live Spaces were removed in June 2010, Windows Live Events discontinued on September 3, 2009
Live.com CollectionsLive.com's successor Windows Live Personalized Experience was discontinued on March 30, 2010
Windows Live Toolbar Buttons and Custom ButtonsWindows Live Toolbar discontinued since the launch of Windows Live Essentials 2011
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
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
Windows Desktop GadgetsDiscontinued in favor of Metro-styled apps in Windows 8. Several highest-rated gadgets remain available on .
Windows SideShowDiscontinued in favor of Metro-styled apps in Windows 8.

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