Who Wins with a Browser-less Windows 7

Microsoft has made a move to include a version of Windows 7 without any browser to make the EU (European Union) happy, but it may make life difficult for Europeans, particularly those who want to upgrade from Windows Vista.

As reported by CNET News there are plans to ship Windows 7 to both consumers and computer manufacturers without Internet Explorer.

Now, most people will get Windows 7 on a new PC. Presumably, in that case, the computer maker will chose to add back Internet Explorer, include one or more rival browsers, or do both.

"Microsoft recommends that OEMs pre-install either IE8 or at least one other browser of their choice before distribution. If you do this, your end users in the European territory should be able to access the Internet without any additional steps or inconvenience.” Microsoft said in a memo to PC makers.

The real hassle is for people who want to upgrade to Windows 7.

Upgrading from Windows 7 from Vista c an normally be done by simply be done by placing an upgrade disk in the computer, which would preserve the users data. However, because it removes the browser, moving to the "E" version of Windows 7 can only be done with a clean installation.

Because of that the users have no browser, therefore no way to download anything, including web browsers. So if they want to upgrade to Oprah or Firefox there is no easy way to do it. For its part, Microsoft plans to make it as easy as possible for them to get IE. It will offer it via CD-ROMs at retail stores and via FTP, an old file downloading technique that has been largely sidelined due to modern browsers.

So who benefits from a browser-less version of Windows? The PC manufacturers do! They now have a more valuable piece of real estate to sell. In the past, they could offer deals to include rival browsers as the default on a new PC, but they were still shipping a PC with Internet Explorer. Presumably now, a browser maker could strike a deal to be the only browser on a machine.

An expert said that he expects most computers to come with Internet Explorer even though the PC manufacturers will have an option.

As for Microsoft they plan to offer an Internet Pack Internet Explorer and its Windows Live programs.