The ironic result being that european users will not have an easy choice for any browser.

Of course, this affects european users, whether they are from countries inside the EU or not, which makes the idea of the UK withdrawing from the EU and suddenly not having to be bound by or affected by EU rules a nonsense. The only change would be that we would have no input into the making of such rules.

Hi, are you a member of the 'microsoft oureach' team by anychance?

Not at all. I'm posting from a Mac, which is what I use most of the time. I just find the whole thing utterly bizarre.

Just think about it. In 2009, Microsoft will be releasing a version of Windows in Europe that has about as much online functionality as Windows 3.1

You couldn't make it up. It's like Sony delivering a Hi Def TV that will only display 405 line black and white pictures.

I assume that means you are an OEM. (I understood that the first release of the RTM to Technet subscribers was to be 6th August). And you don't know how to use FTP from a command prompt?

In any case, you can't possibly have a retail version of Windows 7 yet, so who knows what will be on that.

The European Commission can confirm that Microsoft has proposed a consumer ballot screen as a solution to the pending antitrust case about the tying of Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser with Windows. This followed extensive discussions with the Commission which centred on a remedy outlined in the January 2009 Statement of Objections (see MEMO/09/15) whereby consumers would be shown a "ballot screen" from which they could � if they wished - easily install competing web browsers, set one of those browsers as a default, and disable Internet Explorer. Under the proposal, Windows 7 would include Internet Explorer, but the proposal recognises the principle that consumers should be given a free and effective choice of web browser, and sets out a means � the ballot screen - by which Microsoft believes that can be achieved. In addition OEMs would be able to install competing web browsers, set those as default and disable Internet Explorer should they so wish. The Commission welcomes this proposal, and will now investigate its practical effectiveness in terms of ensuring genuine consumer choice.

As the Commission indicated in June (see MEMO/09/272 ), the Commission was concerned that, should Microsoft's conduct prove to have been abusive, Microsoft's intention to separate Internet Explorer from Windows, without measures such as a ballot screen, would not necessarily have achieved greater consumer choice in practice and would not have been an effective remedy.

Microsoft has also made proposals in relation to disclosures of interoperability information that would improve the interoperability between third party products and Windows and Windows Server. Again, these proposals require further investigation before the Commission reaches any conclusion as to the next steps.

Microsoft's proposals will be published in full on its website.

The Commission has no further comment at this stage.

...whereby consumers would be shown a "ballot screen" from which they could � if they wished - easily install competing web browsers,...

We know it will be like that because MS have said it will be like that. Hence the websites where you can pre order Win 7 E tend to include a caveat about it not including IE or any other web browser. Some specifically tell users to download and burn an installer for a browser before they install Win 7.

Yes, I know how to use command prompt, but how many average PC users do you know who know how to use it?

Microsoft have also said that, like an upgrade option, this will not be an option on the initial 'E' release.

I'll add to my last post. Don't believe me, believe MS

Windows 7 E does not come with a browser in the UK and also requires a clean install. Before starting to install Windows 7, please click here for more information. You will need to back up all your files before starting and you will need to have a browser such as Internet Explorer 8 or a browser from another software manufacturer saved to a CD/DVD or external storage device before starting.

You misunderstand. I was talking about the DVD of Windows 7 that you got today. Surely it can only be an OEM one, and so irrelevant to any discussions of what will be on the retail version?

I don't believe Microsoft have said conclusively what the retail version will include.

how many average PC users do you know who know how to use [the command line]

Tbh I don't know any average users but in all my years of PC support I never met one who couldn't follow clear written instructions. The tricky bit is to make those instructions clear.

as a last resort they will bundle rival browsers on cd with the product if they have to. there is absolutely no way an end user is going to end up without an easy way of getting online.

and most people will only be getting windows7 when they buy a new pc. OEMs are free to install whichever browser(s) they like. and i'm sure in terms of reducing support costs, they will all bundle IE as standard.