How to Show Google Calendar In Windows Live Mail Calendar

Windows Vista had a Windows Calendar which somehow wasn’t included in Windows 7.  If you miss this Vista tool after upgrading to Windows 7 and want to manage your calendar and events on the desktop, then you may go about installing the free Windows Live Mail (WLM) email client that comes with the Windows Live Essentials suite and has a built-in calendar. Added advantages and features will follow.

However, it lacks the subscribe feature that Windows Calendar had, and I see no direct way of synchronizing other calendars like Google Calendar with it. But, if you have a registration with Live/Hotmail ID then you will be glad to know that there is a way to do the same.

Steps to Sync Google Calendar With Windows Live Mail Calendar

Before moving on you should ensure that you have a Live/Hotmail account, have installed WLM and associated connectivity between them.

Step 1: Log in to your Google account and follow over to the Calendar tab. On the left pane hit the drop down arrow against the calendar you wish to share and navigate to Calendar Settings.

Step 2: Scroll to the bottom of the page where you will find Private Address section. Right-click on ICAL and copy the link location.

Step 3: Log in to your Hotmail/Live account and head over to its Calendar feature.

Step 4: From among the feature tabs take the option to Subscribe for another calendar.

Step 5: Paste in the Calendar URL you had copied in Step 2. It should still be in your clipboard if you haven’t diverted from this article. Also give it a name and choose a color theme and/or select a Charm.

Step 6: (Optional) Your Google calendar is now in sync with your Hotmail/Live calendar. You can find it on the left pane of Calendar home. The step is optional just in case you may want to verify the addition of your calendar.

Step 7: Open WLM on your desktop and either wait for an auto update session or refresh things immediately. Under Send/Receive take the option saying All Calendars. Make sure you are connected to your Hotmail/Live account.

Step 8: You calendar now shows up in WLM. Find you calendar among others on the left pane. The image below shows Google calendar event under 23rd (color-differentiated).

Conclusion

If you are looking for a direct way to do so from WLM, let me tell you there isn’t one. I wish that it came with a subscribe option and hope to see one in future. Till then this is the best I could come up with. Know of any other way?