I installed the recommended update to the live program.  However windows live is not receiving my live.com mail in windows 8.1 - I am having the same problem with the windows mail program.  It does read and send my google email. 

I am using live version

Version 2012 (Build 16.4.3564.1216)
Copyright © 2012 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Microsoft® Office 2010 Proofing Tools
© 2010 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

Thanks for the help