Much to my surprise, BlackBerry Desktop naively supports synchronization with Microsoft's "Windows Mail" (as built-in to Microsoft's Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems), however it seems to only support synchronization of the address book/contacts - the calendar does not appear to be supported!


Is there a way to synchronize the calendar on my BlackBerry device with that in Windows Mail?

Nope. There isn't.

You can either sync the calendar with Outlook and then to the BB or try using Google Sync to sync the calendar.

As above, no Windows Live support. And I do believe Windows live is not part of Windows 7, so don't look for RIM to be adding it.

Microsoft seems to suggest otherwise (this was a link provided by the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor):
Finding your applications in Windows 7 - Windows Live

The simplest solution seems to be to use GoogleSync.

The BB Desktop Manager software will definitely sync with Outlook, but that's part of MS Office, which adds an pretty hefty price to the deal.

There is no email client built into Windows 7. Windows XP and earlier had Outlook Express. Vista had Windows Mail. Windows 7, though, has nothing. Microsoft offers a free add-on package called Windows Live Essentials which includes Windows Live email and other productivity stuff.

If you aren't willing to shell out a couple hundred dollars for Office, GoogleSync appears to be your best bet.

Only Microsoft would remove "core" functionality from an operating system in an attempt to make an extra buck...

I think I'll stick with Vista, until I make the Mac OS X switch late next year.

Windows Mail, Windows Calendar are part of Vista.
This has been removed from Windows 7, because of Windows LIVE Mail, Calendar.
Also removed, photo gallery, move maker, because they are now part of the Windows Live Essentials.

But no, you cant get desktop manager to sync with Windows Mail or Calendar in Vista, or Windows Live Essentails (mail or calendar).