Windows 7: EU Vista, XP users will also get to vote IE off island

Upon closer inspection, Microsoft's browser ballot proposal for the EU is much more drastic than one would expect. Users will choose from up to 10 different browsers. And it won't be limited to Windows 7 users; the ballot screen will be pushed as an update to current Windows XP and Windows Vista users. PC manufacturers will also have the option of shipping one or more third-party browsers in place of IE8 without fear of retaliation from Microsoft. It's a big change for a company that just last month wanted Windows 7 to be shipped in Europe without Internet Explorer 8 so as to avoid a ballot screen in the first place.

The balloting process will last for five years from the date the European Commission agrees to it, which pushes it into Windows 8 territory. So let's look at the nitty gritty of the browser ballot announced late last week.

Full Story: http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/07/eu-vista-xp-users-will-also-get-to-vote-ie-off-the-island.ars

This is getting out of hand. If Windows wants to ship IE with THEIR operating system, then they should be allowed to do so. People who don't want to use IE don't have too... I myself use Firefox and IE came with my operating system.

I agree and the next thing MS will have to offer a ballot box for sticky notes, paint, ftp, disk defrag, sound recorder and etc.

Sooner than later I hope Apple gets nailed for doing the same thing MS keeps getting nailed for. I can dream right

Sammy,

I am a big Mac fan, however, I have to agree 100%. I use Firefox on both the Mac OS and in Win 7. It will have to happen sooner or later; in fact I am surprise that Mircosoft hasn't pulled an Opera in the EU against Apple. Wouldn't blame if they did.

That sounds cool...

But Opera might get there first!

lol I can just see the XP users going "wtf" when they get the update as they many will not have been keeping up with developments.

It would be interesting to know what browser(s) the members of this sub-committee are using on their computers, especially if they are using Windows. If they are using a form of IE, then that would be classed as hypocritical. Mind you, would that be of any surprise with politicians?

As to the last it would surprise me they weren't.

As to the first, i fail to see the hypocrisy. They're just functionaries doing the job they are paid to do. Their personal preferences for browsers are immaterial.

You have the EU parliament, they are politicians they make the laws. You have the EU committees they are the law enforcement.

Don't blame the police officer for citing you for speeding. Blame yourself or the politicians who made the law.

Most corporate pcs use IE in my experience, I cant see that being any different for EU staff.

The following idiom or phrase springs to mind: