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The company is attempting to fall in line with the antimonopoly regulations imposed by the European Antitrust Commission, which found the Windows-Internet Explorer bundle to monopoly abuse.

As a response, Microsoft will offer the E SKUs of Windows 7 in EU markets, namely Windows 7 without Internet Explorer 8. What the software giant won't be offering is upgrade SKUs of Windows 7 E. However, Brad Brooks, Corporate VP for Windows Consumer Marketing, pointed out that the full versions of Windows 7 E would be offered at upgrade prices.

“In Europe we're going to basically offer Windows 7E full version at upgrade prices. And so what's this mean for European customers? It means they get Windows 7 on time with the rest of the world at the best possible price,” Brooks explained.

Microsoft is aiming to release Windows 7 E in Europe on October 22, 2009, concomitantly with the global launch of the operating system. Following general availability, EU customers will be able to purchase Windows 7 E Home Premium for €119.99, Windows 7 E Professional will feature a price tag of €285.00 and Windows 7 Ultimate will cost €299. These offers will only last until December 31, 2009, the Redmond-based company noted. Still, because they are full versions of Windows 7 minus Internet Explorer 8, customers in markets in the EU won't be able to upgrade their existing Windows Vista installations. Instead, users will be forced to clean install Windows 7 E.

“We wanted to make sure that all of our customers got Windows 7 at the same time. And because of what needed to occur around testing of Windows 7E, it became very clear that we would not be able to offer a retail upgrade version of that piece of software on October 22nd,” Brooks added. “So, we had a choice to make. Either we delayed the launch of Windows 7 in Europe or that we brought it all together and did something different. So, what we decided to do is do something different.”