Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise Microsoft propose

Microsoft is stepping up its campaign to try to appease European Commission (EC) regulators who are mulling possible solutions inside the ongoing Opera-Microsoft browser-bundling situation inside the European Union.Based on News.com, Microsoft;s newest proposal would be to provide a edition of Windows 7 which strips out Online Explorer (IE) 8. Not hides it — like is currently feasible via a “remove features” capability. The Softies are proposing to sell a separate edition, designated Windows 7 E which doesn;t include a browser in it at all.Sources close to Microsoft confirmed that Microsoft has been notifying PC makers of its intention to field Windows 7 E inside the European Union as a way to comply with antitrust regulations there.Microsoft added the “Remove IE” switch to Windows seven a few months ago. IE was just one of a number of “removable” features within the Release Candidate build of Windows 7,Office 2007 Product Key, which Microsoft made available to testers in late April. The full list of user-removable Windows seven features (in addition to ones that already may be “deselected” in Vista) include: Windows Media PlayerWindows Media CenterWindows DVD MakerInternet Explorer 8Windows SearchHandwriting Recognition (through the Tablet PC Components option)Windows Gadget PlatformFax and ScanXPS Viewer and Services (including the Virtual Print Driver) Turning off these features didn;t actually permanently remove them from the operating system. As Microsoft officials acknowledged in a blog posting in March:“If a feature is deselected, it is not available for use. This means the files (binaries and data) are not loaded by the operating system (for security-conscious customers) and not available to users on the computer. These same files are staged so that the features can easily be added back to the running OS without additional media. This staging is important feedback we have received from customers who definitely do not like to dig up the installation DVD.”But the Windows 7 E release allegedly would do more than just hide IE eight. It would require users and OEMs who wanted IE to install it separately.As News.com explains:“For computer makers that want it, Microsoft will offer a free “IE eight pack” that allows them to add the browser back in. It;s a little more complicated for consumers that buy a retail copy of Windows seven. Because the operating system lacks a browser,Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise, there;s not direct way to go to Microsoft;s Web site to download one. Microsoft plans to make it as easy as possible for folks in Europe to get the browser, though and plans to give it via CD, FTP and through retail channels, based on a person a familiar with the problem.”Microsoft won;t give both IE-8-free and an IE-8-bundled versions of Windows seven within the EU, according to the leaked memo. Microsoft does offer both the Media-Player-bundled and Media-Player-free (Windows XP and Windows Vista N) versions of Windows in the EU. Microsoft also isn;t offering to strip IE out of older versions of Windows, like XP and Vista, as part of this alternative.Earlier this week,Office 2007 Key, word leaked that the EC regulators were seeking input from PC makers about a feasible “ballot screen” remedy,Windows 7 Pro Key, via which users could be offered a choice of IE and competing browsers on new Windows PCs. The EC allegedly has been seeking a remedy within the Opera case which would give Microsoft;s competitors with some kind of Microsoft-provided distribution vehicle for either their actual browser bits or links to their browser download sites in order to level the browser playing field.I doubt this new alternative is going to appease the EU regulators, as it simply punishes consumers. If you thought no one wanted Windows Vista N, I predict the demand for Windows seven E will be just as bad,Office 2010 Professional Plus Key, if not worse. What;s your take? Is offering a Windows 7 E a lame proposal?