Friday, June 12th 2009
Microsoft to Strip Windows 7 of IE and WMP for Europe, Abiding by Laws
Software giant Microsoft has had disturbed relations with the EU markets following series of lawsuits to penalise the company's alleged anti-competitive market practices. Abiding by the courts' judgments, Microsoft will release two special types of its upcoming Windows 7 operating system to sell in Euro-zone countries. The OS will be devoid of Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 (MSIE 8) web-browser, and Windows Media Player (WMP) 12 multimedia software. The first type is Windows 7 E, which lacks MSIE 8 alone. The second is Windows 7 N, which lacks MSIE 8 and WMP 12. The standard type which includes both, will not be available in Euro-zone countries. These types maintain their variant hierarchy (with the lineup starting from Home Basic to Ultimate).
Furthermore, the copies of Windows 7 (E, N) will require a clean installation. Users will not be able to upgrade their existing Windows Vista installations with such types of Windows 7. This however, won't affect the standard version. The move puts users in a bit of inconvenience, since the OS will not remain web-capable as soon as it's installed. In an effort to make things as easy as possible for users, Microsoft is recommending OEM vendors to pre-install MSIE 8, or any web-browser they choose. MSIE 8 will be available as CD-ROM installation media at stores. It will also be available for users to download using FTP, so a web-browser could be downloaded and installed without the presence of another one. "We're committed to making Windows 7 available in Europe at the same time that it launches in the rest of the world, but we also must comply with European competition law as we launch the product," said Microsoft deputy general counsel Dave Heiner said in a written release. "Given the pending legal proceeding, we've decided that instead of including Internet Explorer in Windows 7 in Europe, we will offer it separately and on an easy-to-install basis to both computer manufacturers and users. We're committed to launching Windows 7 on time in Europe, so we need to address the legal realities in Europe, including the risk of large fines. We believe that this new approach, while not our first choice, is the best path forward given the ongoing legal case in Europe," he added.
Source:
Hexus.net
Furthermore, the copies of Windows 7 (E, N) will require a clean installation. Users will not be able to upgrade their existing Windows Vista installations with such types of Windows 7. This however, won't affect the standard version. The move puts users in a bit of inconvenience, since the OS will not remain web-capable as soon as it's installed. In an effort to make things as easy as possible for users, Microsoft is recommending OEM vendors to pre-install MSIE 8, or any web-browser they choose. MSIE 8 will be available as CD-ROM installation media at stores. It will also be available for users to download using FTP, so a web-browser could be downloaded and installed without the presence of another one. "We're committed to making Windows 7 available in Europe at the same time that it launches in the rest of the world, but we also must comply with European competition law as we launch the product," said Microsoft deputy general counsel Dave Heiner said in a written release. "Given the pending legal proceeding, we've decided that instead of including Internet Explorer in Windows 7 in Europe, we will offer it separately and on an easy-to-install basis to both computer manufacturers and users. We're committed to launching Windows 7 on time in Europe, so we need to address the legal realities in Europe, including the risk of large fines. We believe that this new approach, while not our first choice, is the best path forward given the ongoing legal case in Europe," he added.
152 Comments on Microsoft to Strip Windows 7 of IE and WMP for Europe, Abiding by Laws
How the hell am I supposed to get a browser on my machine. This is so stupid.
Oh well, looks like I'll be downloading the US version then.
And paid linux distros won't include a browser too ?
Riiiiight.
:ohwell:
The EU is way past ridiculous. Having Win7 sold with no browser isn't benefiting customers - It is harming customers.
Imagine if you bought a brand new PC and couldnt even get teh interwebz
This makes me so angry :mad: At MS for giving in, but more at EU and their ridiculous policies. I really think something needs to be done about the EU, a thin down of all the bods and relook at policies.
the way Microsoft have to abide is by either giving the choice to install different ones at start up, (which they wont) or just not come with any
but... have the installer for i.e included so just run setup if that makes sense... so d/w you'll still be able to get the i.e included ....
EU is fine it's just stopping people being forced to use WMP etc.... will give things like Winamp/firefox and all that stuff a chance...
True, they are there and I cannot uninstall them - So frakkin' what ?
The thing is, even tho MS say it doesnt come with it, IE8 is part of the make up of the OS, it can just be removed, it probably just that shortcuts wont be in place, and there will be an easy way to implement them,
So many programs rely on IE being in exitence to function. Steam uses IE ffs.
either that you youll be able to use "windows explorer" to browse http / ftp pages like you currently can
With such a large market, one can expect decent sales of the IE8 CD for those who pick up that, and Windows off the shelf or online (for convenience sake).
That aside it's ridiculous, why can't Mircosoft bundle what software they like? EU is a dinosaur.
Although I realise its not going to take much, its the principal of the matter. Just hope I can use an EU key on a standard version.
Otherwise there is going to be a lot of Europeans importing Win 7.
Despite the way it looks, we're the country that is "least part of the EU" of any EU country. We still have the power to not listen to EU's business laws.