Windows 7 E a disaster for European consumers?

Mike Halsey | Jul 06, 2009 | Comments

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Paul Thurrott, who’s kindly let me use some screenshots, let’s face it he’s really a nice guy who doesn’t start arguments by using the A word any more than I do  ;)   has today published the first screenshots of Windows 7 E edition for Europe.  You can read it here, just come back and carry on reading this site afterwards.

Now, first things first.  FINALLY people who live in the UK don’t have to stare at a screen that claims the first language of people in the USA is English when they install windows any more  :)  That’s gotta be a plus.

But, and this is where it gets serious.  With the current build, and let’s not forget this thing doesn’t go to RTM for another couple of weeks, but it IS just a couple of weeks which isn’t very long, there’s no way to download a browser at all.

win7e_7264_18When you install a fresh copy of Windows 7 the action centre, spelt with the r before the e  ;)  will give you several options for downloading anti-virus software.  But this is NOT available for browsers in the current builds.

I would imagine, nay hope, that Microsoft are just talking to Google, Opera and Mozilla about permalinks for their browsers so they can do this.  If they don’t however there’s not only no way to download a browser, but also no way to download anti-virus software.

This needs to be fixed straight away, otherwise retail consumers, and many buying PCs with Windows 7 pre-bundled, will face a disastrous situation.  And how many of them will know how to get the browser and anti-virus software at all?

So Microsoft need to come out right now and reassure European consumers that the action centre will indeed provide the links they need, and that this option will also be added to the welcome centre.  If not, any money we save with the new E edition pricing might as well be put towards a Mac.

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About the Author: The author of the new Windows 7 Power Users Guide, a how-to guide for non-technical Windows users on how to get the best out of Microsoft's new operating system, with step-by-step and quick guides. You can follow Mike on Twitter or on his own website The Long Climb

  • Paul
    It would have been good if he had shown a screenshot of the 'Getting Started' screen. I would have assumed they would have put something in there like they have put 'Go online to get Windows Live Essentials'.
  • Returned4good
    Every time I read about 7 E, I am just infuriated that the EU could be so ridiculous as to exclude IE because it's supposedly unfair. A prime example of liberalism over logic. What a bunch of clowns.
  • Anonymous
    They didn't do that, per se.
    They said:
    Including IE with Windows gives you an unfair marketing advantage, so remove IE and instead offer a choice of web browsers to use.

    So don't blame EU. Blame Microsoft.
  • PureEvil
    Don't blame EU? What's wrong with Microsoft putting Microsoft IE into their Microsoft Windows 7? EU has been Microsoft's case for few years now. I hope Microsoft stop distributing to EU so they can stop their whining... But that wouldn't be fair to honest people in EU.
  • the MP
    seriously, i wonder if they make apple take out safari and the iLife crap. what a load
  • Billy Jorgensen
    I hope Microsoft does not fix it, I hope Win7 ships in the EU with no browser. And when people scream "Why?" the most accurate answer will be "the stupdity of EU regulators". I agree with "MP" above, they won't make Apple remove Safari from Macs, or make Ubuntu only give away copies of Linux without Firefox or any other browser. How stupid. They could have just made the default home page in Win7's IE be a page with links to the other popular browsers and media players. This would have been simple and avoided these ridiculous issues.
  • jsandler
    I still don’t understand how this bunch of jealous regulators can make Microsoft to remove IE from their own Windows product. It’s not Microsoft’s fault that these regulators cannot create their own decent operating system and browser. How can they win a case over such an unreasonable and ridicules argument? Why would Microsoft want to include non-microsoft browsers in their operating system? Every operating system includes their own built-in browser, why not Microsoft? These people are jealous of Microsoft success.
  • A, Oliva
    Theres really no need to comment on this anymore, as its obvious that everyone believes EU made a HUGE mistake on whining.

    did EU not see the big part where Microsoft said, YOU CAN NOW REMOVE MORE BUILT-IN COMPONENTS? for Ex: IE!!! jeezuz.

    You download w.e browser you want, disable IE and done deal... move on with yer lifes.
  • Anonymous
    It was not a mistake on EU's part. It was a mistake on Microsoft's part.
    People complain about EU, but never about Microsoft.
    I wonder why, when Microsoft has done so much wrong and still does? Corrupted world? Ignorant people?
    Microsoft has itself to sue.
  • Stephen
    A couple points:

    First, people blame Microsoft (correctly) for all sorts of things. In this case, the points many are trying to make are that 1) the EU has stepped in (again) with Microsoft on a particular issue where users have already been given a choice to disable, 2) they appear to be attempting to have Microsoft remove a feature from its own OS and allow competing programs to be preinstalled instead, and 3) they do not require the same of Apple. BTW, one of those competing browsers (Opera) is owned by a EU-based company.

    Second, what has Microsoft done that every other company out there has not tried? They just happen to have been more successful. The evils of the world are not the result of Microsoft or any other specific company - they are symptomatic of deeper underlying issues related to the focus on the self (i.e., me first attitude) that have become the norm across at least first world countries.

    Third, why exactly would Microsoft want to sue itself?

    Stephen
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