Microsoft has begun a limited beta test of its upcoming Windows Live Mail Desktop,. The offering is intended to provide users of Windows Live Mail and Hotmail with client-side access to e-mail services. While such a feature was previously only available to paid subscribers, Live Mail Desktop would expand the offering to all users. "We felt it was important to enable broader email client access to our customers, but also balance these needs with those of running a responsible business," a Microsoft spokesperson said.