No Internet Explorer in Windows 7 version for Europe
link: original article - section: windows
Microsoft is planning on shipping a version of Windows 7 to Europe that will not include Internet Explorer.
According to News.com, Microsoft’s newest proposal is to offer a version of Windows 7 which strips out Internet Explorer (IE) 8. Not hides it — like is currently possible via a “remove features” capability. The Softies are proposing to sell a separate version, designated Windows 7 E which doesn’t include a browser in it at all.
Sources close to Microsoft confirmed that Microsoft has been notifying PC makers of its intention to field Windows 7 E in the European Union as a way to comply with antitrust regulations there.
Microsoft added the “Remove IE” switch to Windows 7 a few months ago. IE was just one of a number of “removable” features in the Release Candidate build of Windows 7, which Microsoft made available to testers in late April. The full list of user-removable Windows 7 features (in addition to ones that already may be “deselected” in Vista) include:
* Windows Media Player
* Windows Media Center
* Windows DVD Maker
* Internet Explorer 8
* Windows Search
* Handwriting Recognition (through the Tablet PC Components option)
* Windows Gadget Platform
* Fax and Scan
* XPS Viewer and Services (including the Virtual Print Driver)
