Windows Live Mesh is not a completely new product – the ability to sync files between multiple computers has been available for several years already – Microsoft offered different products to allow this very useful functionality (Windows Live Mesh Beta, Windows Live Sync and Windows Live Toolbar). The current iteration is called Windows Live Mesh and is a part of Windows Live Essentials 2011. This app is compatible with Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. The program will allow to sync multiple folders on up to 30 (thirty!) computers. You can also sync your files to SkyDrive cloud storage, which offers 5 GB of free space in the cloud (extended from previous 2GB just like Ubuntu One).
Functionality of Live Mesh is quite similar to forementined Ubuntu One, but also has some differences: in order to sync files between two computers using Ubuntu One, these files must be synced to the cloud first, whereas in Live Mesh this is only an option. Files can be synced directly between computers without the need to copy them to the cloud storage. Live Mesh also allows RDP remote access between all computers linked to a Live ID. “Remote” feautre has to be enabled first. Once you do, you will be able to remotely access your PC, even if it is behind a NAT. No port forwarding or any setup is necessary.
There is one disadvantage of Windows Live Mesh: it does not support the legacy Windows XP and Server 2003 (installer fails with “not a valid Win32 application” error).