Microsoft to Open Source Windows Live Writer

Microsoft appears ready to push their popular Windows Live Writer WYSIWYG blogging tool into the open source world.

Richard Hay, Senior Content Producer

June 10, 2015

1 Min Read
Microsoft to Open Source Windows Live Writer

It looks like a journey that began almost a year ago is closing in on its destination.

Last June over at WindowsObserver I wrote about the beginnings of an effort, headed by Microsoft's Scott Hanselman, to try and take Windows Live Writer (WLW) open source.

The popular blogging software, which is based on Onfolio Writer, was part of Microsoft's acquisition of Onfolio in March 2006.

Microsoft first released WLW in November 2007 and it was included as part of the Windows Live Essentials in December 2008.

WLW, which is now part of Windows Essentials 2012, was last updated in April 2014 and the WYSIWYG software is a popular tool for bloggers around the world.

Hanselman first mentioned he was heading into a meeting to talk about open sourcing the software so it would continue to exists last June. That tweet turned into a campaign by supporters of the software and currently has nearly 7,900 retweets of support.

Today we have learned that the light is at the end of the tunnel from Hanselman on Twitter:

This is news that will be well received for many as there is yet to be any tool that can come close to the capabilities of WLW when it comes to offline composition of blog posts.

P.S. There is still a petition asking Microsoft to support Live Writer as an open source project and it currently has almost 1,000 signatures.

But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

About the Author(s)

Richard Hay

Richard Hay

Senior Content Producer, IT Pro Today (Informa Tech)

I served for 29 plus years in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer in November 2011. My work background in the Navy was telecommunications related so my hobby of computers fit well with what I did for the Navy. I consider myself a tech geek and enjoy most things in that arena.

My first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then I used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and WindowsObserver.com is the result of the work I have done on that site since 1995.

In January 2010 my community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when I received my first Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for the Windows Operating System. Since then I have been renewed as a Microsoft MVP each subsequent year since that initial award. I am also a member of the inaugural group of Windows Insider MVPs which began in 2016.

I previously hosted the Observed Tech PODCAST for 10 years and 317 episodes and now host a new podcast called Faith, Tech, and Space. 

I began contributing to Penton Technology websites in January 2015 and in April 2017 I was hired as the Senior Content Producer for Penton Technology which is now Informa Tech. In that role, I contribute to ITPro Today and cover operating systems, enterprise technology, and productivity.

https://twitter.com/winobs

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