Windows 7 to be shipped in Europe sans IE

Ah you take things to literal. It's all power politics. You'll have your win7 don't worry, with or without options screen. They play their power games as they want, as with all political mess. Doesn't really affect the real world, just their warped vision on reality as seen from their ivory towers.

EU= open source, MS != open source. Let the battle go on.

z3r010 said:

Yet another stupid ruling by the EU idiots.

Right on!

swarfega said:

erm just one tiny small point comes to mind regarding this law...

HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO SURF AND MORE IMPORTANTLY HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GET HOLD OF A BROWSER!

you could save one to a CD or usb drive prior to installing, or get help from a friend?

a little tidbit from Dave Heiner
Vice President and Deputy General Counsel MS
quote:

Our decision to only offer IE separately from Windows 7 in Europe cannot, of course, preclude the possibility of alternative approaches emerging through Commission processes. Other alternatives have been raised in the Commission proceedings, including possible inclusion in Windows 7 of alternative browsers or a “ballot screen” that would prompt users to choose from a specific set of Web browsers. Important details of these approaches would need to be worked out in coordination with the Commission, since they would have a significant impact on computer manufacturers and Web browser vendors, whose interests may differ. Given the complexity and competing interests, we don’t believe it would be best for us to adopt such an approach unilaterally.

We will continue to discuss browser issues and other matters with the Commission. But even as the Commission processes continue, we know we need to have a clear plan in place to address the “bundling” issue in Europe because, at the end of the day, the obligation to comply with European competition law belongs to Microsoft alone.

Night Hawk said:

That certainly sums up the MS position! Have a link for that?

your wish is my command:

Working to Fulfill our Legal Obligations in Europe for Windows 7 - Microsoft On The Issues

Kevin Kutz, Microsoft's Director of Public Affairs is quoted as saying,

"Customers in Europe will receive special Windows 7 "E" editions in which the IE browser has been removed and can't be added back using the usual Windows Features control panel. Microsoft will make IE 8 available to those customers, optionally, via a so-called "IE 8 Pack" that will be acquired "via CD, FTP, and retail channels." The "E" editions of Windows 7 will otherwise mirror the normal product editions, and as with other nationalities, they will be offered in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. (The version of Windows 7 Home Premium that's sold in Europe will be called Windows 7 Home Premium E, for example.)"

Microsoft : No IE 8 in Windows 7 for EU

Although Ronnie Vernon MVP says

"This issue will not be a problem until the RTM build is released for General Availability on October 22, 2009.

For those who have early access to the RTM build, it should be as simple as downloading a copy of Internet Explorer 8, and place it on external media. Install Windows 7E and then install Internet Explorer 8 or any other browser.

The checking for latest updates, entering the Product Key, and Activation can be done after installing.

We will work with the early adopters, to find any unknown issues, as soon as the RTM is available."

Either way we will know in the EU on Wednesday.

wired retired said:

Either way we will know in the EU on Wednesday.

Ah the EU is going to decide Wednesday?
You got a link for that?