Microsoft Moves Ahead With XP Reduced Media Edition

**MIG-31** · Jan 25, 2005, 07:07 AM

Microsoft made it official Monday: It has no plans to appeal the antitrust sanctions levied against it by the European Commission. As a result, a stripped-down version of Windows, minus Windows Media Player and related files, is moving forward rapidly.

At least some PC makers had an inkling about Microsoft's intentions not to appeal as of last Wednesday. That's when Microsoft delivered to them the version of Windows ordered by the European Commission that Microsoft is currently calling "Windows XP Reduced Media Edition."

A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that Microsoft made available o PC makers both Home and Professional flavors of Windows XP that do not include Windows Media Player on January 19. PC makers will be allowed to sell these versions of Windows in European Union countries only. The retail prices of the stripped-down versions will be the same as that of their full Windows XP counterparts.

"These versions will be available to the retail chain in the coming weeks and are already available for OEMs to license. It's the retailers and the OEMs who will decide whether or not to distribute these versions of Windows and when they would make them available," a Microsoft spokesperson said.

"Our proposed name (for this release) has been 'Windows XP Reduced Media Edition.' This name and other issues are subject to Commission review and approval," the spokesperson added.
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Jan 25, 2005, 07:07 AM	#1
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,843 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	Microsoft Moves Ahead With XP Reduced Media Edition Microsoft made it official Monday: It has no plans to appeal the antitrust sanctions levied against it by the European Commission. As a result, a stripped-down version of Windows, minus Windows Media Player and related files, is moving forward rapidly. At least some PC makers had an inkling about Microsoft's intentions not to appeal as of last Wednesday. That's when Microsoft delivered to them the version of Windows ordered by the European Commission that Microsoft is currently calling "Windows XP Reduced Media Edition." A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that Microsoft made available o PC makers both Home and Professional flavors of Windows XP that do not include Windows Media Player on January 19. PC makers will be allowed to sell these versions of Windows in European Union countries only. The retail prices of the stripped-down versions will be the same as that of their full Windows XP counterparts. "These versions will be available to the retail chain in the coming weeks and are already available for OEMs to license. It's the retailers and the OEMs who will decide whether or not to distribute these versions of Windows and when they would make them available," a Microsoft spokesperson said. "Our proposed name (for this release) has been 'Windows XP Reduced Media Edition.' This name and other issues are subject to Commission review and approval," the spokesperson added. _______________ Read More: Microsoft-Watch __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here