Microsoft Removes Internet Explorer From Windows 7 In The European Union

Martin | Jun 12, 2009 | Comments

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A dispute between the European Union and Microsoft was going on for a while. The European Union suggested that Microsoft should consider adding third-party web browsers to their next operating system Windows 7 in an effort to strengthen web browser competition. This felt strange to many users from the European Union as the Firefox web browser was already competing against Internet Explorer on an eye-to-eye level even without being distributed with the operating system.

News broke today that Microsoft has decided – for now – to offer Windows 7 in the European Union without Internet Explorer; Actually without web browser at all which could prove to be very difficulty for users as they have no means to acquire a web browser online. No web browser brings back memories of a time when web browsers were supplied on CDs and even floppy disks as operating systems back then were supplied without them.

“To ensure that Microsoft is in compliance with European law, Microsoft will be releasing a separate version of Windows 7 for distribution in Europe that will not include Windows Internet Explorer,” the software maker said in the memo. “Microsoft will offer IE8 separately and free of charge and will make it easy and convenient for PC manufacturers to preinstall IE 8 on Windows 7 machines in Europe if they so choose. PC manufacturers may choose to install an alternative browser instead of IE 8, and has always been the case, they may install multiple browsers if they wish.”

via Cnet

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About the Author: Martin Brinkmann is an Online Journalist from Germany who discovered his love for technology in high school. He is currently working as a freelancer for several publications and runs his own Internet website Ghacks

  • Yeah, That Sucks. I didn't think that Microsoft will give up for EU Parlament but they did.
  • orrekuman
    Not that I am a a fan of IE, but hey... the OS is their product, it is ridiculous to force them to ship without IE. You already have the option to uninstall it if you dont like it.

    and hell yes... it is gonna be fun to watch dudes installing Windows without IE... good luck getting another browser.
  • Lewis
    This is quite pointless as most people will install IE8 to then download another browser, as I doubt anyone would get something like Firefox on a disk =/
    Plus in my opinion IE isn't a great threat to other browsers, as even people who don't know much about computers prefer others.
  • seems that build 7229 is leaked... looks legit... http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4948101/Windows...
    .-= 666´s last blog ..Windows 7 Build 7201 Leaked =-.
  • jss
    I neve thought European Union this dumb.....!!! atlest to get started with internet after the OS installation we need a web browser.... to download the basic programs like flash player, third party browsers, additional plugins nd etc.... Offcourse firefox, safari, crome nd other browsers are good browsers wen compared to IE but IE is really not a bad one...!!!! ... previousy I used to use firefox nd safari on my XP .... now I started using IE8... this is really working nice... may be there may be some flaw which I dont knw about.... but I like IE8... mostly the accelerators....
  • JoKie
    What I don't understand is why Apple is allowed to ship OSX with Safari. And most Linux Distros ship with Firefox.
    I think the rules should at least apply to every OS.
  • Ray
    As I understand it, and I do run 2 browsers for this reason, MS does not allow some downloads and products if you don't use their browser. Now that must mean that the EU won't get those products without IE, or MS is going to have to change their practices.
    The computer manufacturers are going to make a killing on this deal, they will be able to charge what ever they want to load the browser of your choice on new systems, those browsers you download for free.
  • Kristian
    The only thing the European Union has done lately is to piss me off...
  • Dan G
    They'll probably put it up for download on Windows Update anyway. Besides, Is it REALLY hard to put Opera or whatever software on CD and install it later?
  • yolarrydabomb
    So how the heck people can get Mozilla Firefox?

    IE is the only damn way.
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