You have probably never heard of it. I know I never have, but as of the end of next month Windows Live Expo, Microsoft’s answer to Craigslist, will no longer exist. In a David and Goliath like battle, it looks like the little guy has won.

When signing on to the site, instantly a window pops up notifying users that the service will discontinue on July 31st and that new accounts are no longer allowed to be created. The site also states that current listings will remain on the site until they expire.

Microsoft released the beta version of the site in 2006. In a press release, Microsoft touted the success of it’s own service by stating “In a recent beta test among Microsoft employees in the Puget Sound area, more than 25 percent of employees used the service, listing more than 3,000 items.” The new site promised integration of such products as Live Messenger and Windows Local Live Mapping. It also offered security by having a feature that one could limit the listings to members of their Windows Live Contacts.

The site listings were similar to Craigslist, but offered all listings by zip code instead of city or regions. In further releases Live Expo also tried to step up user interest by adding integration with popular social networking site Facebook, communities, and image preview. All of which came to a dismal failure.

What was the downfall to Live Expo? Could it be that everyone is getting tired of Microsoft’s constant claims that integration of their products with each other makes using these services easier? Is it that people perhaps just want to sell their items without all the fluff and hassle? Perhaps it was just the fact that consumers are a little tired of having things shoved down their throats.