I have a Vista desktop. I also have a Windows 7 laptop. My Vista came with Windows Mail, which I have loved. I paid someone to install Windows Mail on my new laptop with Windows 7.

However, with the last update I got from Windows, something has happened that kind of ruined my Windows Mail. All illustrations and such do not come through and someone tried to explain to me that anything with coding, etc., will not download.

So now I am looking for an email program to use and I prefer a desktop program. From what I've Googled, Windows Live Mail is a desktop program. But then there is something called Windows Live Essentials and I don't know if that is just an add on to Windows Live Mail ... or what! 

I have a LOT of folders and keep a lot of important documents, which I copy to an external hard drive. I want an email program where I can continue to do this.

I had downloaded Windows Live Mail 2011 from this site: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29224

It was my intention to install this on my Vista machine, but then I got confused and decided I'd better talk to someone first, because in clicking on another link, http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/essentials-other#essentials=overviewvista, it states that Windows Live Essentials is no long available for download for Windows Vista. 

Basically I am just plain lost on this email stuff and I'd sure like some clarification and help. So I'm thanking anyone who will take me on and set me straight.