Summary: Microsoft has retired Windows Live Gallery to focus on richer web applications.
Microsoft wants to move on and now they are retiring their Windows Live Gallery service forever. The website http://gallery.live.com served as a repository for various internet stuffs like plugins, Messenger and more with over 27 million users using the service.
The major reason that Microsoft gives us is that they want to move ahead and shift their focus on richer internet applications. They have also found that the service is no longer going to help the new Windows Live integration in Windows 8. But still, even though the site is retired, it will still have high-rated gadgets.
Here’s what the official message from Microsoft says:
[quote cite=”Microsoft”]Looking for gadgets?
The Windows Live Gallery has been retired. In order to focus support on the much richer set of opportunities available for the newest version of Windows, Microsoft is no longer supporting development or uploading of new Gadgets. However, some of the most popular and highest-rated gadgets are still available on the Gadgets page of the Windows Personalization Gallery.
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[/quote]The Windows Live Writer plugins are still available at plugins.live.com. It is sad to see that the service has gone down! RIP Windows Live Gallery!