Microsoft Windows Essentials is a bundle of different useful IT tools for office, home and school use. The latest version that was released was the Windows Essentials 2012 suite. This package works on Windows 7 Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

Windows Essentials 2012 includes the following:

  • Windows Movie Maker
  • Windows Photo Gallery
  • Windows Live Writer
  • Windows Live Mail
  • Windows Live Family Safety
  • OneDrive desktop app for Windows

Windows Live Mail, Writer, Family Safety are no longer used. But many people are still familiar and enjoyed using the Windows Movie Maker because of its simplicity and user-friendly features. Although it may not contain some of the more advanced features of video editors that were created recently but if the user is familiar with all its features, no one can really tell on which software a video clip was created. Another advantage of using the Windows essentials is that it is a Microsoft product and works well on a Windows computer. Some video editors problematic when they are installed on a computer and the constant updates and upgrade can cause issues on the function of the computer.

Recently Microsoft made this announcement on their website along with the note:

“We’re no longer offering the Windows Essentials 2012 suite for download, but if you already have it installed, it will continue to work as it does today. It reached end of support on January 10, 2017, and it isn’t available in Windows 10.”

Note: Any websites offering free downloads of Windows Movie Maker are not offering sanctioned Microsoft products. Be cautious as these products may contain viruses or hidden costs.

Encarta Kids is a learning encyclopedia intended for young learners. This is useful to teachers who are teaching students from toddler to elementary. It is also helpful in creating  and/or integrating the lessons and materials into the school’s preschool and elementary education curricula.

Encarta Students is a learning encyclopedia intended for secondary/high school students. It is also useful to teachers of higher to elementary to the senior high school level. The materials, information and teaching tools are helpful in creating  and/or integrating the lessons and materials into the school’s elementary and secondary education curricula.

Microsoft Math is equipped with different tools that are useful in handling problems in different levels of mathematics. It is useful to teachers, students and working professionals who need a handy tool that is easy to use. This is part of the Microsoft Encarta 2009 Premium bundle.

 

Microsoft Encarta English Dictionary is another component of the Microsoft Encarta 2009 Premium bundle. It was an online dictionary until 2009. Downloading and installing the software on a Windows computer makes this powerful tool handy and available for use offline. Its contents are still on par with other existing online dictionaries and references. 

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You may download the Microsoft Encarta 2009 from this site. It is a 3 GB mirror file and therefore takes sometime to download. We also suggest to download it where Internet connection is stable.
Click here to download the ENCARTA Premium 2009–Version-1 (ZIP/RAR)

The above link is easier to download and install, but is also prone to damage and corruption during transfer or download. However if no such incident occur, then you only need to install two additional software which are number 2 and 3 below.

If the the downloaded file is corrupted, then you need to install the other version (Version 2-ISO/NRG). To be able to open and install you also need the Daemon Tools (No. 1) below). Here is the Encarta ISO/NRG version:
Click here to download the ENCARTA Premium 2009–Version-2 (ISO/NRG)

Below are the aforementioned three additional IT tools you need to download and install on your computer to enable all the functions of Encarta.

1. Daemon Tools

This is a similar to a DVD player installed on your computer. It is used to play a “digital disk” that contains the data in a CD or DVD. This is useful when opening files such as ISO and NRG. You may download one of them from here. This can be installed on a Windows 7 or Windows 10 computer. Windows 10 computers may prompt you to install the a more compatible latest version. You may choose to accept installing it instead. Once installed, you can use this to mount install the Encarta 2009.
Click to download Daemon Tools

2) Macromedia Flash 8 (Flash Professional 8)

This is a tool needed for the proper function of graphic effects, animation, text, video, and audio in Encarta 2009 to function on your desktop. You may download one of these here.
Click to download Macromedia Flash 8

3) WinRAR X4-501

This is a software used to open compressed or zipped files for safe transmission such as uploading and downloading as well as multiple files or software that were zipped or compressed and attached to an email. You may download a version from here. Once downloaded you can use this to extract and install the Macromedia Flash 8 and other zipped or compressed software you will need in the future.
Click to download WinRAR-x64 (For 64 bit Windows)

4) Windows Essentials 2012

See the instructions of installing all of the above software here.

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Reference Links:

[1][2] Wikipedia (Encarta)