Microsoft stripping IE from Windows 7 just for Europe
By Mike Ferro
The battle over browser freedom continues overseas in Europe as Microsoft and the European Commission clash over the issue. Previously, the European Commission deemed that Microsoft’s practice of forcing users into using Internet Explorer (IE) violated anti-trust regulations. It seems like Microsoft may be finally caving in to demands made by the European Commission.
The battle between the European Commission (EC) and Microsoft has been going on for some time as fines have been levied against Microsoft to the tune of $1.4 billion over anti-competitive issues in the past. The EC feels that Microsoft is undermining the consumer’s right to choose a browser fairly.
One of the biggest grips the EC has with Microsoft is the fact that IE comes bundled with Windows by default. Previously, the EC requested that Microsoft offer the capability to uninstall IE from Windows. However, Microsoft has yet to comply with such demands citing instability with the Windows operating system if IE were to be uninstalled.
According to Engadget, Microsoft seems to be taking a proactive approach with Windows 7. Apparently Microsoft is giving into pressure from the EC by considering a way to ship the new operating system without a browser. However, Microsoft is now considering making the initial IE install optional for new users. If this is indeed the case then users in Europe will be able to opt out of installing IE on their Windows 7 altogether.
It’s interesting to see Microsoft playing nice with the EC for once by offering an option to completely remove IE from Windows 7. I am curious as to if the US version of Windows 7 will be getting a similar option with the new operating system. I highly doubt that this option will be available in the U.S., but if enough users complain I am sure Microsoft will eventually take notice.
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Stumble It!
July 25th, 2009
Nice. Microsoft is forced to strip core functionality like browsing capabilities while Apple can force customers to shop only at some telecom providers, force them to use an intendedly crippled OS and force them to only use applications that are approved by Apple, only to be downloaded at Apple, only by using rotten Apple software which digs into your system. It doesn’t make sense. The time that MS was over protective about its OS and was basically forcing customers to buy a PC with Windows are over since the early 2000’s. That was wrong. Nowadays you can buy a PC and do whatever you want. If you like Firefox instead of IE it’s no problem. If you like Google Desktop and Google Search then there is no problem.
The European Committee should reconsider its attitude. And those astronomical fines is just tax collecting. Customers pay it all in the end. Thank you EC for forcing us to buy a crippled OS for extra costs.
July 25th, 2009
And just how do you plan to download your browser of choice if your operating system has no web-browser preinstalled?
Users have plenty of choice – let them do as they please and stop interfering.
July 25th, 2009
Fred
You don’t need IE to do that.
This way gives users choices many were previously unaware of and begins down the road of stopping companies using their dominant position to force their own products on people.
Given the way IE is bundled (and at a very fundamental level) with MS’s OS it can hardly be said to be operating within a ‘market’.
We’re approaching the end game here.
MS have done the bit where they throw their tantrum and are now coming back to the table in a more reasonable frame of mind.
More power to the EU.
July 25th, 2009
Morons. I’ll expect Safari to be removed from OSX any day now.
If you’re too ignorant to understand browsers you should probably shouldn’t be using the internet.
Congratulations on not recognizing the EU just made a choice for you because you are too feeble and slow to do it yourselves.