Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows
Home > Type > News > Microsoft integrates Windows 7 user accounts with Windows Live IDs

Microsoft integrates Windows 7 user accounts with Windows Live IDs

Feb. 20, 2009 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

This is interesting, if overdue: Microsoft's new beta release of the Windows Live Sign-In Assistant 6.5 includes the ability to link a Windows 7 user account to a Windows Live ID:

Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant 6.5 (Beta)

Brief Description

The Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant 6.5 (Beta) installs the Windows Live ID online provider for Windows 7. This provider enables linking a Windows Live ID to a Windows 7 user account.

Overview

The Windows Live ID Sign-in Assistant 6.5 (Beta) installs the Windows Live ID online provider for Windows® 7. By making it possible to link a Windows Live ID to a Windows 7 user account, this online provider helps enable Windows 7 applications to deliver great features like sharing documents, pictures, music, and video.

Benefits

Through the online provider, the Sign-in Assistant helps a Windows 7 application running on one computer identify and communicate with other computers that are associated with the same Windows Live ID. Just by linking your Windows Live ID to the user account on each Windows 7 computer you own, you enable those computers to identify each other and work together more easily than has been possible in the past. Applications can take advantage of this capability to support scenarios as in the following example:

On his homegroup, Bob wants to share certain documents with his wife but not with his kids. Simply by specifying his wife’s Windows Live ID user name, Bob can give his wife exclusive permission to access documents on his computer.

More Information
For more information about Windows Live ID, go to https://accountservices.passport.net/ppnetworkhome.srf?lc=1033.
For more information about Windows 7 Beta homegroups and sharing functionality, see http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/whats-new-possibilities.aspx.

Discuss this Article 14

kenmcnamee
on Feb 20, 2009
Sounds like they're turning Passport, uh I mean Windows Live ID into a internet-wide domain controller. I like it from a convenience standpoint but my guess is that this has the potential to be very embarrassing if a security flaw is exploited. But then again, what could go wrong?
Master3
on Feb 20, 2009
I like this. Very convenient.
Waethorn
on Feb 20, 2009
This is just a recoupling of the internet ID system to a Windows login, which was started with Passport and the bundled Windows Messenger for Windows XP. They had decoupled portions of that linkup when they deprecated Windows Messenger for Windows Live Messenger though. I kind of wonder if some of the network communications that went into the OneCare circle stuff for sharing files and printers didn't wind up here.
kenmcnamee
on Feb 20, 2009
Microsoft may get into a little antitrust trouble here. To prevent that they should at least announce their intention to open it up beyond Live ID and eventually provide an SDK for linking any online ID to a Windows login.
johnbaxter
on Feb 20, 2009
Ken, nothing can go wrong because of Microsoft's careful attention to security in all aspects of Windows.
USArcher
on Feb 20, 2009
Its a smart move that I believe many Windows users will find benefitial depending on what scenarios Microsoft opens up with this. I don't see an antitrust issue considering this is an "optional" Windows Live offering. An OEM doesn't have to install it. Also, there is nothing here that another ID provider couldn't do if they developed for Windows. And beyond this, Microsoft seems committed to supporting Open ID and providing a way for Live ID users to login into Open ID sites.
richardfrisch
on Feb 20, 2009
I have several hotmail, live and passport accounts for no good reason but I still use them all so... it would nice if I could integrate them into a unified presence and then hook this to Windows 7.
USArcher
on Feb 20, 2009
richard, Windows Live has the concept of Linked IDs (5 max) which you can configure via the Windows Live Account screen. Now, I haven't tried it for this scenario...but it very well could work.
richardfrisch
on Feb 20, 2009
@USArcher Thanks. Did not know that but I plan to check it out.
robertsjoe
on Feb 20, 2009
It looks like the thieves at Microsoft are at it again. Here is the OS X Home icon copied in Windows Mobile 6.5: http://www.roughlydrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/pasted-graphic-... And the OS X Activity Monitor's icon too: http://www.roughlydrafted.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/icon-theft.jpg This is by no means the first time they have stolen icons from Apple. They must be under so much pressure to compete against the iPhone, trying to turn around the turkey that is Windows Mobile, that they are resorting to stealing.
robertsjoe
on Feb 20, 2009
Microsoft only ranked 34th most innovative company http://www.fastcompany.com/fast50_09/list-all Apple is 4th. Microsoft says the word "innovation" a lot. They don't do it that much at all. See previous comment about them stealing Apple's icons.
shark47
on Feb 20, 2009
"It looks like the thieves at Microsoft are at it again. " Oh, wow! You guys are bigger idiots than I gave you credit for.
robertsjoe
on Feb 20, 2009
@shark47: You're telling me you can't see that the home icon is a complete copy and rip-off? If you can't, then you're either blind or just the worst kind of Microsoft apologist and fanboy.
john87
on Feb 20, 2009
@Robertsjoe OR alternatively a 3rd party makes these icons for companies like MS and Apple, who specialise in icon development thus allowing MS and Apple to outsource their work instead of having staff developing new icons for every product.... maybe. No that's impossible MS must have stolen something. I would love to see who decided Apple was the fourth most innovative company in the world- I can't remember the last major innovation they made. Granted MS doesn't do much in the way of innovating either in their products at least but their research labs make some of the most interesting stuff in the induatry.

Please or Register to post comments.

Related Articles

IT/Dev Connections

Las Vegas
September 30th - October 4th

Paul ThurottYou'll have the opportunity to experience:
• 120 Technical
Sessions
• Networking with Peers
• Expert Speakers


Come See Paul Thurrott & Mary Jo Foley in Person!

Register Now

Office 365 InfoCenter

Get the latest insight and info from Paul

Read Now!

What I Use
Apr. 18, 2013
Article

What I Use: On the Road 20

Every so often, I publish an updated version of my “What I Use” document, which details the technology products and services I actually use day-to-day. Since I’m currently on my third business trip in five weeks, this is perhaps an ideal time to discuss the technology products I rely on when I travel and a few related points....More
Mar. 6, 2013
Article

What I Use: March 2013 33

Lots of changes since November, including a new PC-based home server running Windows 8, several new smart phones, new PCs and tablets, new cloud backup, Office 365 Home Premium and a nice doubling of my Internet speeds courtesy of Verizon FIOS....More
WinSuperSite.com
Related Penton Sites
Copyright © 2013 Penton Media, Inc