

Also, a user gets a consistent experience across Microsoft online sites, since all these sites have access to the user’s profile. For example, the user can open Live Mail or Windows Live Spaces from Windows Live Messenger without the need to provide their credentials again. Windows Live ID provides single sign-on between all Live ID-enabled services, so once the user is logged in at one of these sites or rich applications, they are seamlessly signed into other Windows Live sites as well. It is what they use to send/receive e-mail, chat on messenger, or set up a new Office Live account-so they use it anywhere they see the Live ID logo. To a user, Live ID is their identity on various Microsoft online services. Formerly known as Microsoft Passport, the service was rebranded to reflect the Windows Live brand, as well as new scenarios and features developed to support Windows Live.

Many third-party sites also use Live ID authentication. Windows Live ID is the identity and authentication platform for all Microsoft online services, such as Windows Live, Xbox Live, Office Live, etc. This article focuses on the Windows Live ID Web and client authentication and explains how you can use it in your application. Include Windows Live controls in your Web application to seamlessly combine these features with your innovation. This foundation service is also available to third-party developers, allowing them to build identity-aware Web and rich client applications using Windows Live services, user data, and social relationships. Windows Live ID supports more than 400 million active users, performing over a billion authentications per day, with a consistent availability of over 99.9%. Windows Live ID now offers a simple way for third parties to get Live ID authentication in your Web or rich client applications, letting you reach millions of Live ID users, integrate with Live Controls, and access Live services. Do you have a cool personalized application that you want to offer to over 400 million users? Do you want to light it up with Live controls or create a mashup with Live resources?
