Microsoft strips IE from European version of Windows 7

Microsoft will ship a European version of Windows 7 without Internet Explorer (IE) in response to an EU anti-trust investigation.

The EU filed a Statement of Objections against Microsoft in January that alleged that Microsoft’s practice of bundling IE with Window breached EU Antitrust laws. The EU claims that IE in Windows harms competition between web browsers, undermines product innovation, and reduces consumer choice.”

An EU only version of Windows isn’t a first for Microsoft, who have previously shipped Windows XP and Vista without Windows Media Player due to similar EU antitrust concerns.

According to CNET, OEMs will have the option to add the browser back in, ship another browser, or ship multiple browsers. “The E versions of Windows 7 will include all the features and functionality of Windows 7 in the rest of the world, other than browsing with Internet Explorer,” Microsoft said in a memo. “Computer manufacturers will be able to add any browser they want to their Windows 7 machines, including Internet Explorer, so European consumers who purchase new PCs will be able to access the Internet without any problem. Consumers will also be able to add any Web browser to their PCs, to supplement or replace the browsers preinstalled by their computer manufacturer.”