Windows 7: Internet Explorer-free in Europe

Reacting to an antitrust investigation headed by the European Commission (EC) since January, Microsoft has elected to keep Internet Explorer (IE) out of Windows 7, albeit only in Europe. From here, manufacturers will have the option to put the browser back in, install another, or install multiple browsers. This, of course, is a first in the corporation's history, and a move that should please Mozilla and Opera (update: okay, nevermind).

The news comes courtesy of a leaked memo from Microsoft to PC makers, which reads as follows:

"To ensure that Microsoft is in compliance with European law, Microsoft will be releasing a separate version of Windows 7 for distribution in Europe that will not include Windows Internet Explorer. Microsoft will offer IE8 separately and free of charge and will make it easy and convenient for PC manufacturers to preinstall IE 8 on Windows 7 machines in Europe if they so choose. PC manufacturers may choose to install an alternative browser instead of IE 8, and has always been the case, they may install multiple browsers if they wish."

Microsoft has confirmed its authenticity, but decided against further comment.

The version without IE will be dubbed the "E" version, while another excluding it as well as Windows Media Player (for the same reasons), will be dubbed the "N" version. The corporation also noted:

"[We are] focused on ensuring that Windows 7 is a successful worldwide release available to the broadest number of consumers, including those in Europe. We believe that we need to release these E versions to address the preliminary legal views communicated to us in the EU. We are informing OEMs of these plans now so that we can work together to meet our shared goal to have Windows 7 broadly available for a holiday launch."

The tricky part is for manufacturers who choose to ship the OS without a browser -- for customers who purchase a copy as such at retail, it's not exactly simple to find a browser if you're browser-less, and the average user is most likely not going to know it's even possible.

According to "a person familiar with the situation", Microsoft plans on offering IE via CD, FTP and retail channels, ensuring we're all good to go. If sense prevails, though, manufacturers will simply offer a browser (any browser) with the OS -- we're pretty sure most people would rather even IE than any hassle, to start with. Update: The EC agrees.

Meanwhile, the rest of us can all but completely remove the software if we so wish.

Update: Microsoft has responded here, also offering background on the matter and even acknowledging the "ballot screen" approach.