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12 Jun 2009
The European Commission (EC) has reacted swiftly to Microsoft's intention to offer some versions of the upcoming Windows 7 operating system without Internet Explorer (IE).
Microsoft revealed plans last night to preempt an expected ruling from the EC in its anti-competition investigation, by announcing that it will offer computer manufacturers versions of Windows 7 for sale in Europe that do not include IE. But the EC said today that Microsoft's actions may not be enough.
"The Commission had suggested to Microsoft that consumers be provided with a choice of web browsers. Instead, Microsoft has apparently decided to supply retail consumers with a version of Windows without a web browser at all," the EC said in a statement. "Rather than more choice, Microsoft seems to have chosen to provide less."
The Commission cited an alternative option of shipping Windows 7 with a choice of different web browsers presented through a 'ballot screen', from where users could choose and easily install their preferred browser.
Microsoft has not ruled out the possibility of the 'ballot screen' option, but is keen to avoid delaying the rollout of its new operating system.
"Microsoft filed its response to the Commission's Statement of Objections in April. We believe we made a strong showing that including IE in Windows is lawful so that no remedy is needed," said Dave Heiner, vice president and deputy general counsel at Microsoft, in a statement.
"We hope that the Commission will ultimately agree with us. In the meantime, we have to move forward with final planning for the release of Windows 7, so we've decided that, instead of including IE in Windows 7 in Europe, we will offer it separately. As noted, we will continue to discuss browser issues and o ther matters with the Commission."
The EC said that it would "decide shortly" on the outcome of its long-running anti-competition investigation. Microsoft has yet to respond to today's reaction from the EC.
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Do you agree?
Ahh yes
When we have no constructive input go for grammer and spelling...nice work Troll!! Figure out how to download and install a friggen web browser though? Find the awesome MS feature allow program access? So you can set your shiney new browser as default? Idiots...
Posted by: David DiPietro 06 Jul 2009
Re: "Are you kidding me?" by David DiPietro
Are you KIDDING ME??? So what this article is emparting on me is Europens as SO stupid they can't customize their OS to suit there needs? Anti trust violations would be other components CAN'T install because the OS inhibits these changes. This is BS litigation and if it happened in THE US of all places it would be TOSSED for lack of MERIT... Hats off to Mr. DiPietro for actually managing to spell his own name! So much for the "English" taught in the U.S.A. Why don't they call the gibberish they spout, "American" and leave our language alone?
Posted by: Thomas Smythe-Brown 02 Jul 2009
Unfair to M$ but they're not blame-free
I agree with other users, this is unfair against M$, however let's not forget that it was M$ who offered not to ship IE with Vista to try and please the EC, not the EC demanding they don't ship it. I'm not against IE (I use it quite regularly) however I am a Firefox power user, being a developer. My main beef with IE is that it cannot be uninstalled. For example, I buy my PC which comes shipped with M$ Works. I use StarOffice, so I uninstall Works because I'll never use it - and it's gone. However IE has to remain on my machine because it cannot be uninstalled. This, David DiPietro, is an OS-inhibited change and I believe is what the EC is dealing with. I don't know what the deal with Safari is - can you uninstall it, if you choose to install Firefox instead? If not, then I feel this should also come under the same case as M$. If M$ go ahead and release Windows 7 without IE8, they're going to anger even more users because how can you download another browser if you don't have one to begin with (or another PC?)
Posted by: Andy Shellam 29 Jun 2009
What about Apple?
Apple ships their OS with so many more apple items than compared to Microsoft and its own programs. Why hasn't the EC said anything to them?
Posted by: James 29 Jun 2009
New economic model required by Microsoft
Go search for OSX86, Linux and FreeBSD... Interesting stuff built around open-source, yet the related companies are making money for running support subscription services and specialist customisation services... The product itself, is free bear. This is essentially what Microsoft need to do. At present the "shell game" coupled with ropey drivers, memory hungry routines and over-extended fluff makes IBM compatible machinery appear crappier than it actually is. (Look at what happens on a new MacBook for instance, still the same IBM compatible hard-drives, Intel processors, graphics hardware, yet amazing stability and easy usage in comparison to Windows).
Posted by: Simon 28 Jun 2009
Rex Alfie Lee - Open your eyes
Rex Alfie Lee, Just a few of your quotes.... "If you've ever tried the alternatives you wouldn't go back to IE bcoz it is crap" "Yes, it's Javascript tinkering is better than the current stable of FF but the next one is believed to be even faster rendering JS pages." "Once you've tried FF & the add-ons, you wouldn't go back to IE for anything. It's garbage." I'm assuming, (although I could be wrong), that you are a power user. A power user that has the requirements of add-ins, JavaScript tinkering etc. You claim individuals know "zip" for voicing their opinions. It's all about choice. You prefer FireFox and that's why you use it. Some people prefer Internet Explorer, Safari, Opera.... Actually I'll save listing them all. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_web_browsers Do you really think that a person who uses a computer for email and the odd bit of browsing cares or evens knows about other browsers. Do you really think they would benefit from FireFox against Internet Explorer? I use Internet Explorer & Firefox. I'm a power user and prefer each browser for different things. I wouldn't actually one is better then the other, (although I will say that FireFox USED to be quicker). I don't normally post on these sort of sites but it does get my frustrated when I see how small minded people can be at times. Next time look beyond your requirements and realise that not everybody is a power user and don't have the same requirements as you. That's why we are given choice!
Posted by: Paul 28 Jun 2009
So then...
...when are Apple going to be told they can't ship OSX with Safari? Not to mention the debacle with Apple's update services automatically selecting Safari for download, but let's remember Microsoft is the big bad guy here.
Posted by: Phil 20 Jun 2009
Are you KIDDING ME???
So what this article is emparting on me is Europens as SO stupid they can't customize their OS to suit there needs? Anti trust violations would be other components CAN'T install because the OS inhibits these changes. This is BS litigation and if it happened in THE US of all places it would be TOSSED for lack of MERIT...
Posted by: David DiPietro 17 Jun 2009
Back Off
I dont see what the problem is!! everyone has there own preference for browsers,you just download the one you use. i myself love IE but i do use the other ones too. so micrsoft!! keep IE in there you have my backing!!
Posted by: keithm888 15 Jun 2009
Mart, 12 Jun 2009, You are a Goose!
You're either a M$ paid representative on this site or a twirp who knows zip. If you've ever tried the alternatives you wouldn't go back to IE bcoz it is crap. All the typing that can be saved, all the extra stuff available within Firefox makes it a valuable tool where as IE is just a browser. There is no comparison & as for the others, they have a long way to go to catch up to Firefox. Even Google's browser doesn't have the capabilities. Yes, it's Javascript tinkering is better than the current stable of FF but the next one is believed to be even faster rendering JS pages. As for IE8, it doesn't even render some of the pages that were designed explicitly for IE7 & below. M$ in their continual turnaround will probably screw that up & stop being compliant so that these pages will work too. M$ build software to integrate failings that require fixing, either that or they just have crap programmers who don't properly test their software. Once you've tried FF & the add-ons, you wouldn't go back to IE for anything. It's garbage.
Posted by: Rex Alfie Lee 14 Jun 2009
Windows 7 with IE 8 please (no more no less)
I agree with the other comments; I already choose to use IE8 and I don't want other browsers shipped with Windows, I certainly don't want them installed! If I feel the need to use another browser I will go and install it. At the end of the day OEM manufactures can already choose to install other browsers and make them the default browser in Windows Vista and up coming Windows 7. The EU Commission needs to stay out of it, it?s up to Opera, Mozilla, Google and Apple to promote their browsers to the OEM and end users. Microsoft should NOT be doing it for them.
Posted by: Nicholas Bambury 13 Jun 2009
EC out of control or just trying a new money earner...again ?
Crazy... I assume that the EC are going to apply this to MAC and enforce that Safari is not bundled as well ? Otherwise it would appear to be slightly targeted...
Posted by: Kevin 12 Jun 2009
Back Off
Why dont EC just ask the people? im sure almost 80 would rather use Internet explorer anyway.. Seems to me Microsoft can't to anything right without the big wigs fighting them for power, or maybe even just trying to "show em whos boss". Poor show, if only as much effort was put into crime and poverty....
Posted by: Mart 12 Jun 2009