In a modest win for Microsoft’s struggling online services business, Microsoft said late Tuesday that computer maker Lenovo Group will preload Windows Live services on its ThinkPad notebooks, ThinkCentre desktops and Lenovo-branded PCs.Lenovo will integrate the Windows Live Toolbar on computers so that when users start up, they will see it on their desktops, said Justin Osmer, a Microsoft senior product manager. Through the toolbar, users can access Windows Live Search and other Live services, including a customized Windows Live homepage that they can set up for quick access to their favorite sites, he said.Microsoft would not disclose the terms or duration of the deal between the two companies. It is the first deal Microsoft has struck with a computer maker to preload the Windows Live Toolbar on PCs. However, Osmer said Microsoft would seek similar deals with other vendors to integrate Windows Live Toolbar with PCs.Microsoft unveiled its Windows Live brand for its Web-based services in November 2005. Since then, it has revamped Live’s e-mail and search services and added new ones in an effort to earn more online advertising revenue in competition with Google. So far, however, Microsoft has had little success, and revenue for its online services business remained flat in its last fiscal year. On a recent conference call, financial analysts from UBS Investment Research said Microsoft was losing share to Google in search queries and ad revenue. As a remedy, analysts suggested Microsoft strike deals such as the one with Lenovo to integrate its Windows Live Toolbar directly onto PCs to give users more access to its services. -Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG News Service (New York Bureau) Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content brandpost Sponsored by SAP When natural disasters strike Japan, Ōita University’s EDiSON is ready to act With the technology and assistance of SAP and Zynas Corporation, Ōita University built an emergency-response collaboration tool named EDiSON that helps the Japanese island of Kyushu detect and mitigate natural disasters. By Michael Kure, SAP Contributor Dec 07, 2023 5 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by BMC BMC on BMC: How the company enables IT observability with BMC Helix and AIOps The goals: transform an ocean of data and ultimately provide a stellar user experience and maximum value. By Jeff Miller Dec 07, 2023 3 mins IT Leadership brandpost Sponsored by BMC The data deluge: The need for IT Operations observability and strategies for achieving it BMC Helix brings thousands of data points together to create a holistic view of the health of a service. By Jeff Miller Dec 07, 2023 4 mins IT Leadership how-to How to create an effective business continuity plan A business continuity plan outlines procedures and instructions an organization must follow in the face of disaster, whether fire, flood, or cyberattack. Here’s how to create a plan that gives your business the best chance of surviving such an By Mary K. Pratt, Ed Tittel, Kim Lindros Dec 07, 2023 11 mins Small and Medium Business IT Skills Backup and Recovery Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe