Friday, June 12th 2009
Microsoft to Strip Windows 7 of IE and WMP for Europe, Abiding by Laws
Software giant Microsoft has had disturbed relations with the EU markets following series of lawsuits to penalise the company's alleged anti-competitive market practices. Abiding by the courts' judgments, Microsoft will release two special types of its upcoming Windows 7 operating system to sell in Euro-zone countries. The OS will be devoid of Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 (MSIE 8) web-browser, and Windows Media Player (WMP) 12 multimedia software. The first type is Windows 7 E, which lacks MSIE 8 alone. The second is Windows 7 N, which lacks MSIE 8 and WMP 12. The standard type which includes both, will not be available in Euro-zone countries. These types maintain their variant hierarchy (with the lineup starting from Home Basic to Ultimate).
Furthermore, the copies of Windows 7 (E, N) will require a clean installation. Users will not be able to upgrade their existing Windows Vista installations with such types of Windows 7. This however, won't affect the standard version. The move puts users in a bit of inconvenience, since the OS will not remain web-capable as soon as it's installed. In an effort to make things as easy as possible for users, Microsoft is recommending OEM vendors to pre-install MSIE 8, or any web-browser they choose. MSIE 8 will be available as CD-ROM installation media at stores. It will also be available for users to download using FTP, so a web-browser could be downloaded and installed without the presence of another one. "We're committed to making Windows 7 available in Europe at the same time that it launches in the rest of the world, but we also must comply with European competition law as we launch the product," said Microsoft deputy general counsel Dave Heiner said in a written release. "Given the pending legal proceeding, we've decided that instead of including Internet Explorer in Windows 7 in Europe, we will offer it separately and on an easy-to-install basis to both computer manufacturers and users. We're committed to launching Windows 7 on time in Europe, so we need to address the legal realities in Europe, including the risk of large fines. We believe that this new approach, while not our first choice, is the best path forward given the ongoing legal case in Europe," he added.
Source:
Hexus.net
Furthermore, the copies of Windows 7 (E, N) will require a clean installation. Users will not be able to upgrade their existing Windows Vista installations with such types of Windows 7. This however, won't affect the standard version. The move puts users in a bit of inconvenience, since the OS will not remain web-capable as soon as it's installed. In an effort to make things as easy as possible for users, Microsoft is recommending OEM vendors to pre-install MSIE 8, or any web-browser they choose. MSIE 8 will be available as CD-ROM installation media at stores. It will also be available for users to download using FTP, so a web-browser could be downloaded and installed without the presence of another one. "We're committed to making Windows 7 available in Europe at the same time that it launches in the rest of the world, but we also must comply with European competition law as we launch the product," said Microsoft deputy general counsel Dave Heiner said in a written release. "Given the pending legal proceeding, we've decided that instead of including Internet Explorer in Windows 7 in Europe, we will offer it separately and on an easy-to-install basis to both computer manufacturers and users. We're committed to launching Windows 7 on time in Europe, so we need to address the legal realities in Europe, including the risk of large fines. We believe that this new approach, while not our first choice, is the best path forward given the ongoing legal case in Europe," he added.
152 Comments on Microsoft to Strip Windows 7 of IE and WMP for Europe, Abiding by Laws
When it comes to performance with tomorrow's web applications, JavaScript engine speed is the single most important factor (and is what that benchmark tests). You can see how even the latest version of IE lags very, very far behind.
You don't need a web browser or an FTP proggie to access any FTP site's.
I've tried using the Windows XP Professional N-edition and it's quite nice having Media Player Classic playing all my media files without any file association problems from WMP9/10. The only problem is the lack of Windows Media (.WMA/.WMV/.ASF) support, but IMO I rather play media that use other, better codecs than that trash. :D
Looks like i'll go back to VLC
nice article.
Safari is just as fast on Windows as it is on intel macs. You're going to have to try a few JavaScript intensive websites and media-heavy stuff -- I'll see what I can find. I know I've found websites in the past that were testing out new js technologies that slowed to a crawl in IE but run like butter in Chrome and Safari.
I would like to thank Microsoft for sticking up two fingers to EU and following their stupid rules. Watch how the EU government scrambles back to Microsoft, begging to find out how to get their precious IE and WMP back.
Continue...
Are you comparing running Safari 4 on a PowerPC mac vs. IE8 on a windows machine?
Hey, try installing Safari 4 on your Windows machine, and then tell me how it feels on certain websites vs. IE. Or just install Chrome -- for all practical purposes, Chrome and Safari are the same browser.
No its not "fair" but Safari 3 was faster on my machine. When I "upgraded" to 4 things got a low slower. Thats why I said it must be optimized for intel Macs OR Apple is screwing over its "legacy" users by crippling its own software to force hardware upgrades.
WIN 7 may not have IE8 and WMP included on the install disk . . . but how much do you want to bet that the WIN 7 retail packages come with a second disk that has IE8 and WMP on it?
As long as those applications are included in the WIN 7 install, MS is in the clear . . . there's nothing saying they can't include these applications on a seperate disk in the package.
C'mon, y'all, think like MS! :toast:
Besides, IE displays 95% of the i-webz correctly . . . unlike other browsers . . . it might also have something to do with the fact that 95% of all websites are still designed with IE for IE.
As to media players, WMP 11 I've found to be a little more easier to use and more intuitive . . . it's only downfall is it doesn't play all files types correctly, even with codecs installed.