Microsoft still pushing Internet Explorer – even with Windows 7
It’s a well-known fact that Microsoft has always bundled Internet Explorer with its operating systems. Will this practice end with Windows 7? Probably not. In fact, people who have downloaded the Windows 7 Release Candidate this week have reported even worse than that.
I’ve always had mixed feelings on Microsoft bundling the latest version of Internet Explorer with its operating systems. It’s a common sense move, making a Web browser, a necessity for one of the main uses of most computers, available from the outset. However, is it fair to other browser manufacturers when Windows has such a huge market share?
The European Union certainly doesn’t think it is, and is bringing an antitrust charge against Microsoft for that very reason. The EU has already ruled that the practice gives Internet Explorer “an unfair advantage over its rivals,” and Microsoft will now have to fight its corner in court on June 3.
This has led to speculation that Microsoft will make Internet Explorer an optional feature in Windows 7, which can effectively be “switched off”. This may turn out to be the route Microsoft takes, especially in Europe, but it all depends whether the European Union would see the move as enough to call the dogs off.
At the moment, however, Microsoft is forging ahead and doing things the same way it has been for years. According to The Financial Times, people downloading the new Windows 7 RC, available from May 5, reported that their default browser had been changed to Internet Explorer after the install, even if they were previously using an alternative such as Firefox or Opera.
People upgrading from an older Windows OS to Windows 7 RC get the nice surprise if they choose the “express settings” option before installing. In order to prevent Internet Explorer trumping their existing choice of browser, users have to choose the “custom settings” option instead.
While anyone downloading the Windows RC would likely be an experienced PC user capable of tinkering with settings without trouble, this does show how Microsoft still seems intent on pushing Internet Explorer on people whether they want the Web browser or not. Which I’m sure won’t go down very well in court next month.
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May 9th, 2009
The reporting in this article is appallingly bad. I’m not sure if it is the factual inaccuracies or the attempted smear campaign that is more obnoxious.
But, let’s start with the factual inaccuracies. First, it is natural to expect that IE will be the default browser after an OS install. Unless the person installing the OS has done an in-place upgrade (and not very many people who are beta testing an OS release candidate are likely to take that route), no other browser is installed on the system. How can there be a non-IE default if IE is the only browser on the system?
Second, it’s not speculation that IE can be removed from Windows 7. Lifehacker first reported on this development over a month ago (http://lifehacker.com/5164286/windows-7-lets-you-finally-uninstall-internet-explorer-kinda) and Mary Jo Foley at Zdnet.com confirmed with executives at Microsoft (http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=2235). Sure, components of IE will remain, but they are necessary for the operating system to function correctly. Safari and Mac OS X is very similar. Even if you choose to delete Safari, the WebKit rendering engine is still present.
In addition to the factual inaccuracies, I find your insinuations to be laughable.”At the moment, Microsoft is forging ahead and doing things that they have done for years … ” What, exactly does that mean? What are you implying? There is no conspiracy and Microsoft isn’t doing anything questionable, much less suspect. Starting in Windows 7, they won’t even be bundling essential programs (e-mail, IM, photo organizer) with the OS any longer. Despite the fact that their competition (Mac OS X and every Linux distribution under the sun) does so.
From this, and nearly every other article on this website, it appears that you greatly dislike Microsoft and hold Windows in disdain. If so, why don’t you go write about something you can be passionate about. It would likely improve both the quality and accuracy of the coverage.
May 10th, 2009
Rob,
You will find that of all the “writers” here at Blorge, this one in particular evidences the MOST opinionated and factually inaccurate article posted. At one time Blorge could be counted on for some real “news”, but any more its mostly highly opinionated pieces or just plain “flame bait” intended to drive up page view numbers I guess to increase ad revenues.