Europe to get Windows 7 sans browser

**MIG-31** · Jun 11, 2009, 07:39 PM

Microsoft plans to remove Internet Explorer from the versions of Windows 7 that it ships in Europe, CNET News has learned.

Reacting to antitrust concerns expressed by European regulators, Microsoft plans to offer a version in Europe that has the browser removed. Computer makers would then have the option to add the browser back in, ship another browser or ship multiple browsers, according to a confidential memo that was sent to PC makers and seen by CNET News.
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Source: C|Net

mike2h · Jun 11, 2009, 09:58 PM

sounds like an increased cost factor that will get passed on to consumers. that or makers will have uninformed customers(the majority) 'buy' a browser/charge for installation.

IvanV · Jun 11, 2009, 10:16 PM

I'm rather guessing that the new IE-less edition will be as popular as the WMP-less one - no one will bother with it.

**Mousey** · Jun 11, 2009, 11:19 PM

For people like me that's a plus since IE is only ever a very. very. VERY. last resort, but to the general market (Y'know, the kind that scream Vista sucks despite never trying it) IE is all they've ever known, and they've fallen in love with all the spyware riddled toolbars it offers.

Bad Move MS, Please don't finalise this

Gastrian · Jun 11, 2009, 11:19 PM

And does Apple also have to start offering its OSs without browsers? A browser is one of the things I expect to have in an OS as well as a media player and for the EU to enforce this "competitive" bahaviour is pointless.

**Mousey** · Jun 11, 2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gastrian

And does Apple also have to start offering its OSs without browsers? A browser is one of the things I expect to have in an OS as well as a media player and for the EU to enforce this "competitive" bahaviour is pointless.

That's a good point as well, it's only just hit me actually how are we supposed to install our own browser if we don't have one to go find a browser in the first place?

mike2h · Jun 11, 2009, 11:26 PM

ivan- good point.
mousey- nothing wrong with ie(all ive used for the last few years) but you r right about all the silly toolbars &various other 'free' offerings. tho i dont think this is ie exclusive problem.
gastrian- another good point.

mike2h · Jun 11, 2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mousey

That's a good point as well, it's only just hit me actually how are we supposed to install our own browser if we don't have one to go find a browser in the first place?

see post #2

Gastrian · Jun 11, 2009, 11:36 PM

The other point is to what extent can the EU or any country dictate what can and cannot be built into a piece of software?

Is there going to be an anti-trust case against MS because their OS includes a Paint package regardless of how small and limited it is or that it now includes Mahjong?

I like choice but at the same time I like ease of use. I don't want to have to look at various different media players, browsers, email clients, DVD/CD software writers, etc to setup my machine. I like being able to put my install disk in and use the default settings.

IvanV · Jun 12, 2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mousey

That's a good point as well, it's only just hit me actually how are we supposed to install our own browser if we don't have one to go find a browser in the first place?

Floppies?

Tyrsonswood · Jun 12, 2009, 12:25 AM

Should make those that complain about an included browser install windows 7 from floppy disk.... the whole OS.

Seriously, big deal windows includes it's own browser, what else is new...... not like it's the only browser possible. Just don't use it if you don't like it!

**dj_stick** · Jun 12, 2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gastrian

And does Apple also have to start offering its OSs without browsers? A browser is one of the things I expect to have in an OS as well as a media player and for the EU to enforce this "competitive" bahaviour is pointless.

If Microsoft tried to bundle what Apple does with it's iLife packaged, they'd have a new one torn in a matter of hours, yet Apple can do this, AND bundle a restrictive media player (iTunes) and browser (Safari) with no consequence? a bit of double standards here

CDsDontBurn · Jun 12, 2009, 12:58 AM

for the "browser-less" OS, cant people just use windows explorer as your browser?

i mean, if you're in C:\Program Files, you can change that to say w/e website you want to go to, press enter, and there you go, browser a-la-cart.

Zelig · Jun 12, 2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

for the "browser-less" OS, cant people just use windows explorer as your browser?

i mean, if you're in C:\Program Files, you can change that to say w/e website you want to go to, press enter, and there you go, browser a-la-cart.

That just uses IE in the same window... if you have another browser set to handle html files, it opens that browser instead of using the Windows Explorer window.

edit: Or actually, I just assumed the html file association, I think IvanV got it right, 2 posts below.

CDsDontBurn · Jun 12, 2009, 01:51 AM

gotcha, didn't know that

.

then yea. i guess it would be a bit difficult for people to get online if they didn't know how to unless they get a browser installed first then by somebody else.

IvanV · Jun 12, 2009, 01:51 AM

And it doesn't even do that any more, not on Vista (and even on XP with IE7), now it just launches the default web browser (not necessarily IE) with that page.

OEM's used to be forbidden from pre-installing an alternative browser on Windows machines and that is anticompetitive (it's not about keeping the new installation clean as OEMs put all sorts of crap-ware on new PCs and it's obviously fine with MS), but this is ridiculous, especially since MS has already announced that it will be possible to disable IE in Windows 7.

CDsDontBurn · Jun 12, 2009, 01:59 AM

yea. i truly don't understand what makes this so illegal. especially after the ponit that dj_stick brought up.

Jun 11, 2009, 07:39 PM	#1
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 44,497 Rep Power: 244 System Specs	Europe to get Windows 7 sans browser Microsoft plans to remove Internet Explorer from the versions of Windows 7 that it ships in Europe, CNET News has learned. Reacting to antitrust concerns expressed by European regulators, Microsoft plans to offer a version in Europe that has the browser removed. Computer makers would then have the option to add the browser back in, ship another browser or ship multiple browsers, according to a confidential memo that was sent to PC makers and seen by CNET News. ____________ Source: C\|Net __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here How you can help HardwareHeaven by using Digg! HH Hardware Diggs / GH Gaming Diggs

Jun 11, 2009, 10:16 PM	#3
IvanV HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,527 Rep Power: 102 System Specs	Re: Europe to get Windows 7 sans browser I'm rather guessing that the new IE-less edition will be as popular as the WMP-less one - no one will bother with it. __________________ Feed the porkers and don't touch the buttons!

Jun 11, 2009, 11:19 PM	#5
Gastrian HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 109 Rep Power: 39	Re: Europe to get Windows 7 sans browser And does Apple also have to start offering its OSs without browsers? A browser is one of the things I expect to have in an OS as well as a media player and for the EU to enforce this "competitive" bahaviour is pointless. __________________ Current PC Athlon XP 64 3200+ (S939) 2GB DDR RAM 128MB GeForce 6600GT Windows 7 Beta/Win XP Pro

Jun 11, 2009, 11:26 PM	#7
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 76 System Specs	Re: Europe to get Windows 7 sans browser ivan- good point. mousey- nothing wrong with ie(all ive used for the last few years) but you r right about all the silly toolbars &various other 'free' offerings. tho i dont think this is ie exclusive problem. gastrian- another good point. __________________

Jun 11, 2009, 11:36 PM	#9
Gastrian HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 109 Rep Power: 39	Re: Europe to get Windows 7 sans browser The other point is to what extent can the EU or any country dictate what can and cannot be built into a piece of software? Is there going to be an anti-trust case against MS because their OS includes a Paint package regardless of how small and limited it is or that it now includes Mahjong? I like choice but at the same time I like ease of use. I don't want to have to look at various different media players, browsers, email clients, DVD/CD software writers, etc to setup my machine. I like being able to put my install disk in and use the default settings. __________________ Current PC Athlon XP 64 3200+ (S939) 2GB DDR RAM 128MB GeForce 6600GT Windows 7 Beta/Win XP Pro

Jun 11, 2009, 09:58 PM	#2
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 76 System Specs	Re: Europe to get Windows 7 sans browser sounds like an increased cost factor that will get passed on to consumers. that or makers will have uninformed customers(the majority) 'buy' a browser/charge for installation. __________________

Jun 12, 2009, 12:58 AM	#13
CDsDontBurn 127.0.0.1 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,048 Rep Power: 157 System Specs	Re: Europe to get Windows 7 sans browser for the "browser-less" OS, cant people just use windows explorer as your browser? i mean, if you're in C:\Program Files, you can change that to say w/e website you want to go to, press enter, and there you go, browser a-la-cart. __________________ CD's Corner // Her first day // A year later // RX-8 Club 3Dmark06 - 4176 // 3Dmark05 - 7459 // 3Dmark03 - 14289 // PCmark05 - 4453 // PCmark04 - 6297

Jun 12, 2009, 01:51 AM	#15
CDsDontBurn 127.0.0.1 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,048 Rep Power: 157 System Specs	Re: Europe to get Windows 7 sans browser gotcha, didn't know that . then yea. i guess it would be a bit difficult for people to get online if they didn't know how to unless they get a browser installed first then by somebody else. __________________ CD's Corner // Her first day // A year later // RX-8 Club 3Dmark06 - 4176 // 3Dmark05 - 7459 // 3Dmark03 - 14289 // PCmark05 - 4453 // PCmark04 - 6297

Jun 12, 2009, 01:59 AM	#17
CDsDontBurn 127.0.0.1 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,048 Rep Power: 157 System Specs	Re: Europe to get Windows 7 sans browser yea. i truly don't understand what makes this so illegal. especially after the ponit that dj_stick brought up. __________________ CD's Corner // Her first day // A year later // RX-8 Club 3Dmark06 - 4176 // 3Dmark05 - 7459 // 3Dmark03 - 14289 // PCmark05 - 4453 // PCmark04 - 6297