Microsoft has released the first official versions of its Live Search, Live Local Search and the Live.com homepage. 

Live.com provides users with a customisable home page where they can choose from numerous items such as local weather forecasts, news headlines, recent email messages or utilities such as an antivirus security scan.

The new Live Search and Live Local Search replace the search technology that currently powers Microsoft's MSN Search. 

"We now have the base to weave search through our services in ways that bring value to customers," said Christopher Payne, corporate vice president of Live Search.

The services are the first of Microsoft's Live Software services to leave the beta stage. The vendor kicked off its Live Software initiative last November in an attempt to beef up its online presence and shield off competition from Google.

Several other Live services remain in beta, including Windows Live Academic Search, Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live QnA.