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Limiting browser pre-installs

linuser Updated - 12th Jun 2009

As stated in the article, 95% of users will get Windows 7, when they purchase a new PC. The remaining 5% will get it by upgrading an existing machine.

If the EC were to issue a mandate to PC makers that required them to limit the installation of any one browser to say 25% of all new machines, it would:

1. prevent browser vendors with deep pockets (Microsoft, Google, Apple, ...) from "purchasing" (or finagling) 100% of the new PC installs.

2. make it easier for future browser vendors to bring their browser products into the mainstream.

3. provide a reasonably balanced solution for 95% of the problem.

The good news for PC makers is that, even Microsoft will have to pay, if they want to have IE pre-installed on new PCs, so this new found revenue would more than compensate them for any additional work required.

People purchasing these new PCs could stick with the browser that was pre-installed by the PC maker (which many will) or install their preferred browser and uninstall the original.