Windows 7 ‘E’ Canceled
There’s been an European Union (EU) antitrust case against Microsoft for ‘abusing its dominant position’ in the browsers usage share by bundling Internet Explorer along with Windows 7. This led to the introduction of the Windows 7 ‘E’ version that lacked an internet browser and was planned to be sold to customers in the EU.
Microsoft then suggested providing a ballot screen (after Windows 7 installation) that gave users the option to choose their preferred browser from a list of well-known browsers. This meant that Internet Explorer 8 would still be delivered as the default browser. (For more information about the ballot screen, see “Agreement About Windows 7E Likely“)
Brower Ballot Screen
The killing off of the Windows 7 ‘E’ version wasn’t confirmed until late Friday, where Microsoft mentioned in an official statement:
In the wake of last week’s developments, as well as continuing feedback on Windows 7 E that we have received from computer manufacturers and other business partners, I’m pleased to report that we will ship the same version of Windows 7 in Europe in October that we will ship in the rest of the world.
One reason we decided not to ship Windows 7 ‘E’ is concerns raised by computer manufacturers and partners. Several worried about the complexity of changing the version of Windows that we ship in Europe if our ballot screen proposal is ultimately accepted by the Commission and we stop selling Windows 7 ‘E’. Computer manufacturers and our partners also warned that introducing Windows 7 ‘E’, only to later replace it with a version of Windows 7 that includes IE, could confuse consumers about what version of Windows to buy with their PCs.
If the Commission of the European Union (EU) accepts Microsoft’s proposal, the ballot screen would be implemented to EU customers. Last week, Microsoft officials stated that the ballot screen isn’t Windows 7 exclusive, thus will be provided to users running Windows XP and Vista via Windows Update.
Those who’ve already pre-order Windows 7 ‘E’ edition from the EU might wonder what version of Windows 7 they would get. According to CNET News, they will receive the full version of Windows 7. Cancelling the Windows 7 ‘E’ also means that Microsoft will be able to sell the “upgrade version” of Windows 7 in Europe and solve the problem that EU users had to face: having to perform a clean install of Windows 7.
Source: Neowin
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Category: Discussion, Windows 7 News
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Per., all pre-orders stand. Customers will receive the version they ordered, minus the “E”, for the price they ordered it. Confirmed by MS.
Yes, but what if we had wanted the upgrade version which wasn’t previously available?
If you want the upgrade version, buy it. It will be available shortly. If you want the upgrade version, but you pre-ordered the (full) E version at the 49.99 rate, you’d be insane to cancel your order, which will now be a regular FULL version of 7 instead of E, in exchange for a (now) more expensive upgrade version.
Yes, but that is not the point. Upgrade versions ARE FULL versions. The only difference is that you need a previous install or key to install.
The other main difference is that one is able to upgrade (funnily enough) rather than having to do a clean install.
I would have chosen the upgrade version if it had been available rather than pre-ordering the ‘full’ version.
I will happily keep my £44.xx full version of Windows 7, I don’t want an ‘upgrade’ version… as I’m sure the rest of the techi’s will agree that you shouldn’t ever ‘upgrade’ your operating system if a clean install can be done, you never know what parts of the older version you will leave behind.
Do I care that Windows 7 is shipping with IE? No I don’t, I won’t use it but I don’t believe making software developers lifes harder by having 2 different versions of W7 is a good idea (in other words, I’m glad the ‘E’ has been dropped). I do like however that I will be able to choose my prefered browser when I start up though, saves me having to ‘bing’ firefox… Google FTW.
Would it be nice to unistall IE (trouble free and legally I mean) straight from Add/Remove programs? I sure some people will find that useful, I’m not to fussed myself though.
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Did they ever figure out how they were going to download a browser to install without a browser to find and download a browser?
This may be one of the reasons for their decision to leave it in.
Unless you have a special program like an FTP program but then they will complain that they are forced to use Microsoft FTP.
In any case, just download your new browser with explorer 8 then uninstall IE8 afterwards.
I think that would be the ultimate and best solution as long as your ABLE to uninstall IE8.
Google Chrome is OK just a little getting used to.
I fully believe in Open Source everything but dealing with the real world and seeing that there has been a continuous bombardment of Trojans and viruses in the newsgroups for the last year or so, probably hired guns from the software and gaming industry, Browsers and OS’s should have secrets to protect against hackers and idiots.
Open Source means open vulnerability.
KP
The browser thing would have been done through an optional Windows update item.
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Firefox should be Microsoft’s default :P
Wow the integrated browser in Windows thing has been going on for years now. There are a lot of people out there who do not even know about alternative browsers. The list of browser choices is a good idea and the ability to FTP through Windows has been around for a very long time.
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