UK businesses and home users planning to buy Windows 7
will only be offered the cut-down version, Windows 7E, which
removes Internet Explorer, to comply with EU
restrictions.
If they wish to buy the new operating system, they will need to
do so before the end of the year, or face a hefty price hike. No
upgrades from previous Windows editions will be available in
Europe.
European anti-monopoly authorities
charged Microsoft with harming browser competition by illegally
bundling Internet Explorer with its Windows operating system.
To comply, Microsoft will offer European customers a different
version of Windows to the rest of the world, which will not come
bundled with Internet Explorer. Hardware-manufacturers and
customers will be given the choice of which internet browser they
wish to install.
As a result, There will be no upgrade available in Europe. Users
will have top buy a full edition of Windows 7E, which will offered
at a discount until 31 December.