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Windows 7 with Browser Ballot to Hit Europe
Techtree News Staff, Jul 27, 2009 1626 hrs ISTMicrosoft adds to EU users' woes
Last month, Microsoft had stated its plans to launch Windows 7 sans Internet Explorer browser for European countries against the Anti-trust case. At the recent Windows 7 RTM (Release to Manufacture) sign-off, Microsoft announced that it will offer a ballot screen for choosing browsers in Windows 7 for the European users, reported The New York Times. European Commission, the executive body of European Union, released a statement that said EU "welcomes this proposal and will now investigate the practical effectiveness in terms of ensuring genuine consumer choice." Of course there's a catch which the EU Jury will investigate.
Microsoft had signed off Windows 7 RTM last week and also announced to offer ballot screen to choose any browser to be installed in their system. Also, users can totally disable Internet Explorer from the Windows 7. Now, this ballot screen will be yet another trouble for new users as well as existing users seeking upgrade. The European users on Windows Vista or lower will have to perform new installation of Windows 7 as an upgrade.
In an official statement issued last week, Microsoft stated that, 'In addition, (computer makers) would be able to install competing Web browsers, set those as default and disable Internet Explorer (IE) should they so wish. The Commission welcomes this proposal, and will now investigate its practical effectiveness in terms of ensuring genuine consumer choice.'
After facing the Antitrust heat from European Union since years about including IE by default in Windows and hurting the browser competition, Microsoft has finally decided to be co-operative for smoother Windows 7 roll out. This objection was raised by Opera browser makers who said that IE didn't even comply with web standards. Obviously, Microsoft decided to take a safer option and proposed releasing Windows 7 with ballot screen offering browser choice.
Mozilla's CEO John Lilly said in a statement, "It is, of course, a good development that Microsoft will make changes to allow users to choose their own default Web browser, as today's browser mediates so much of our online experience." Mozilla is concerned about the criteria Microsoft will set to select the browsers for ballot. Now, the ball is in European Commission's court. Hopefully, something good will come out for the European users expecting Windows 7 on Oct. 22.
Microsoft had signed off Windows 7 RTM last week and also announced to offer ballot screen to choose any browser to be installed in their system. Also, users can totally disable Internet Explorer from the Windows 7. Now, this ballot screen will be yet another trouble for new users as well as existing users seeking upgrade. The European users on Windows Vista or lower will have to perform new installation of Windows 7 as an upgrade.
In an official statement issued last week, Microsoft stated that, 'In addition, (computer makers) would be able to install competing Web browsers, set those as default and disable Internet Explorer (IE) should they so wish. The Commission welcomes this proposal, and will now investigate its practical effectiveness in terms of ensuring genuine consumer choice.'
After facing the Antitrust heat from European Union since years about including IE by default in Windows and hurting the browser competition, Microsoft has finally decided to be co-operative for smoother Windows 7 roll out. This objection was raised by Opera browser makers who said that IE didn't even comply with web standards. Obviously, Microsoft decided to take a safer option and proposed releasing Windows 7 with ballot screen offering browser choice.
Mozilla's CEO John Lilly said in a statement, "It is, of course, a good development that Microsoft will make changes to allow users to choose their own default Web browser, as today's browser mediates so much of our online experience." Mozilla is concerned about the criteria Microsoft will set to select the browsers for ballot. Now, the ball is in European Commission's court. Hopefully, something good will come out for the European users expecting Windows 7 on Oct. 22.
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