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
As for the "free will" statement all I have to say is WTF. I mean its free. You don't HAVE to use it. But hey, you got your wish. No IE for you. :laugh:
Should have a version, that has a sticker saying, includes IE8 and WMP.
Then people can vote with their wallets, and prove that people in EU dont want EU crippled software
What i think Europes pissed about is not being able to uninstall it fully when you select uninstall.
This is MS I'm sure they will an option to install IE just like they provide an option to install Live Messenger in Vista and W7. :rolleyes:
:shadedshu
The rest of us will quite rightly have our browser installer on USB drive to install.
I'm a bit perplexed by the lack of upgrade path from Vista though. :confused:
FYI if you don't like it I hear Venezuela is working on an OS. :laugh::roll:
For everyone else, they'll just buy an OEM pre-built computer which will already have a web browser installed so no issue there.
The only other cases are those who have Windows Vista and want to move to Windows 7 and will buy it retail/OEM. Well, since they probably won't understand how to do a full install, that only leaves the upgrade version, of which these IE stripped versions are not.
This is a GOOD thing! It means no IE GUI or WMP for those of us who, like me, never use these programs unless we are forced to (work...). Plus, I'm sure many OEMs will install browsers like Chrome or Firefox and let those who weren't already aware of alternative browsers be enlightened.
What's sad is that even I think this is dumb. 10 years ago, I would've been all for this, but today, it just looks petty. IE is already losing quite a bit of market share as is. Web applications are becoming a big part of peoples' lives, and IE just doesn't perform up the same standards as something like Chrome or Safari does -- IE is already doomed, it's just a matter of time.
WTF is going on with them?:wtf: