Microsoft scraps Windows 7 E
Summary
Topics
The software maker had originally proposed shipping Windows 7 in Europe without a browser at all — the so-called 'E' version of the operating system. However, European regulators indicated that might not satisfy its concerns.
See also: Windows 7 Special Report
Microsoft announced last week that it was open to the ballot screen, but said it would wait to drop the browserless 'E' version until European regulators approved its plan.
The software maker said late on Friday that it decided to ship the same version of Windows 7 for Europe after PC makers complained that having to use the browserless version of Windows 7 for a short period of time would be problematic.
"In the wake of last week's developments, as well as continuing feedback on Windows 7 E that we have received from computer manufacturers and other business partners, I'm pleased to report that we will ship the same version of Windows 7 in Europe in October that we will ship in the rest of the world," deputy general counsel Dave Heiner said in a statement.
The European Commission had said it "welcomed" Microsoft's move, also giving the software maker some confidence that it could ship Windows 7 with the browser included. If the Commission accepts Microsoft's proposal, it will fully implement that proposed ballot screen to Windows 7 buyers in Europe.
"One reason we decided not to ship Windows 7 'E' is concerns raised by computer manufacturers and partners," Heiner said. "Several worried about the complexity of changing the version of Windows that we ship in Europe if our ballot-screen proposal is ultimately accepted by the Commission and we stop selling Windows 7 'E'. "Computer manufacturers and our partners also warned that introducing Windows 7 'E', only to later replace it with a version of Windows 7 that includes IE, could confuse consumers about what version of Windows to buy with their PCs."
The move also solved a challenge for Vista users in Europe who, under the previous plan, would have had to do a clean install to move to Windows 7. It also allows Microsoft to sell an "upgrade version" of Windows 7 in Europe. Microsoft had previously said it would only sell a full version of the OS, though it had said it would sell that at the upgrade price, at least for a time.
Those who pre-ordered Windows 7 'E' through a recent discount offer will get the full version, as Microsoft had promised. However, Microsoft plans to now sell Windows 7 upgrades in Europe and also offer a higher-priced full version (for those without an earlier copy of Windows) — similar to what it is doing in the rest of the world.
This article was originally posted on CNET News.com.
Talkback Most Recent of 6 Talkback(s)
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As long as one of the ballot choices
is "none of the above", then I could live with it.
Michael Kelly3rd Aug 2009 -
Misguided, meddling government
This is a perfect example of why government entities need to stay out of private enterprise.
If users are incapable of finding and downloading the FREE browser of their choice, then they deserve to use preinstalled Internet Explorer. Why on EARTH should Microsoft be legally required to prop up rival products?
"Windows 7 E" constitutes a major developmental and legal expense for Microsoft while providing exactly zero benefit for the end user. It addresses no market needs; instead it strokes the egos of EU bureaucrats ... few of whom have ever produced a product, or have had to meet a hard budget they couldn't tax into feasibility.
52 years since the publication of Atlas Shrugged, and Ayn Rand is more relevant than ever...
Churlish3rd Aug 2009 -
If it were not for the meddling governments
you would not be getting the option to uninstall IE in Windows 7. That is all the users of alternate browsers wanted. I agree there is no need to go beyond that, but I have a hard time feeling sorry for MS because they brought this on themselves.Michael Kelly3rd Aug 2009 -
We don't need meddling governments
if you don't like IE. Just simply install the
browser of your choice and forget about IE. They
are better off spending their time on other things
more important than internet explorer.
bingbong@...3rd Aug 2009 -
spin much? meddling government?
How many times can you repeat the same buzz words before they lose all meaning, I wonder...
At any rate the government's involvement in the issue should serve as a huge wake-up call to Microsoft as the cranky masses have finally groaned loudly enough to invoke political action. Let us not forget that the government is supposed to act on behalf of the people and this is one of few cases where it looks like that is exactly what's happening to some extent.
ZDnet Reader 435th Aug 2009 -
RE: Microsoft scraps Windows 7 E
Wow... governments should just FO somethimes. Why in anything usefull is the EU being dinks about this... MS is trying to comply... I think they just want to balance their books on fines from MS..
dave@...3rd Aug 2009
Talkback - Tell Us What You Think
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