After numerous run ins with European regulators, Microsoft has decided to offer Windows 7 to European consumers without bundling Internet Explorer into the OS.
The "E" edition of Windows 7 has been confirmed by Microsoft spokespeople, as EU antitrust regulations claimed bundling IE into the OS gave the upper hand to Microsoft, especially with Windows still on more than 90 percent of PCs.
"This means that computer manufacturers and users will be free to install Internet Explorer on Windows 7, or not, as they prefer," Microsoft deputy general counsel Dave Heiner said in a statement issued by Microsoft.
Microsoft has been under heavy pressure to either ship Windows 7 without IE bundled directly into the OS, or to offer an easy way to remove the browser. Windows 7 will already have a "kill switch" available to international users who would rather use a third-party Web browser.
A growing number of PC users are beginning to switch to Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome, and other free, more secure Web browsers over the often buggy, insecure IE browser. I mainly use Firefox, but still find myself occassionally forced to use IE -- and I've seen a surge in casual PC users also dabbling with third-party browsers.
The European Commission, in fact, told Microsoft to package other Web browsers into Windows when it ships, though Microsoft obviously is appealing this decision.
Windows 7 is set for global release on Oct. 22.
