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Microsoft confirmed plans last night for a new Windows Live Folders online file-storage service (better known to some as "Live Drive"), while announcing a new photo management program called Windows Live Photo Gallery. In the process, the company also mentioned plans for a unified installation process, coming this summer, for various Windows Live services. That means it will be possible to install multiple Windows Live products by downloading one installation file.

Chris Jones, a Windows Live corporate vice president, declined to detail the unified installation plans when I spoke with him yesterday. So it's unclear, for example, whether it will still be possible to get a single installation file for a program such as Windows Live Messenger, without having to uncheck boxes to make sure you don't get every other Windows Live service, as well.

However, Jones did say this on the subject: "We're much more interested in making sure that the customer has the right experience than in making sure that they install everything that we have."

Microsoft won't be the only company to offer a unified install, but analysts warn that companies should be careful in how they approach it: "This a general practice, not Microsoft specific, that is likely to start getting consumers annoyed," said Michael Gartenberg, a Jupiter Research analyst, via phone yesterday.

The unified installation reflects Microsoft's effort to create more connections between the various Windows Live services as it refreshes the Windows Live initiative. Windows Live Folders and Photo Gallery, both entering a limited beta today, are the first in a new wave of services from the company.

Microsoft says to expect more later this year.