Microsoft to sell European versions of Windows7 without browser

The move is expected to benefit other competing browser makers

Microsoft plans to release the European versions of Windows7 Operating System without the Internet Explorer browser, in order to comply with the European Commission’s laws.

The move comes as a result of the ongoing tussle between the European Commission and the company since long time.

Dave Heiner, deputy general counsel of Microsoft, said: Given the pending legal proceeding, we've decided that instead of including Internet Explorer in Windows 7 in Europe, we will offer it separately and on an easy-to-install basis to both computer manufacturers and users.

Reportedly, the commission has sent out a questionnaire earlier to take the views of the computer manufacturers’ and software vendors’ on ways to solve Microsoft’s dominant position in the internet browser market.

The company’s move is expected to profit other competing browser makers such as the Opera Software, Google and the Mozilla Foundation.

But even after the announcement by the company to release Windows7 without browsers, the EU seems to proceed with the case against Microsoft.

According to industry sources, the commission wants Microsoft to offer a choice of browsers to the consumers instead of offering operating system without the browser at all.

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