How do you install a browser when you don't have a browser? The news that Windows 7 won't include Internet Explorer in Europe has caused an outbreak of head-scratching - especially among those of us whose routers need a browser window to configure our connections in the first place.
So if boxed retail copies of Windows 7 won't come with a browser, how on Earth are we going to get online?
Microsoft hasn't offered any detail, but according to VP and deputy general counsel Dave Heiner "we will offer it separately and on an easy-to-install basis to both computer manufacturers and users." In practice, that's likely to mean one of the following.
1. A second disc with IE on it
If we were betting types, this is the one we'd put our money on. Technically, a second disc in the box means that Windows 7 doesn't include Internet Explorer because it's no longer built into Windows or part of the Windows installer.
Microsoft would be sticking to the letter of its decision rather than the spirit of it, which would be a rather Microsoft thing to do.
2. A second disc, over there, with IE on it
Rather than putting IE in the box, Microsoft could do an AOL and fill computer shops with free Internet Explorer CDs. The extra packaging would increase Microsoft's costs and wouldn't be great for the environment, but who cares about polar bears when there's the EU to thumb your corporate nose at?
3. A download utility
Putting a Download IE icon on the desktop or sticking it in the Welcome screen to launch an FTP session would again enable Microsoft to ship IE without including it in Windows, but we're not convinced about this one: on a bare install on a new machine, you'd need to get your net connection configured before it would work - and if Internet Explorer is really stripped out of Windows, removing Windows Explorer's online powers, you wouldn't be able to do that.
The same applies to putting IE in Windows Update: if you can't get your connection running in the first place, IE might as well be on the moon.
4. Microsoft working with the EU instead of throwing it toys out of the pram
Hmmm. Perhaps not.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liked this? Then check out TechRadar's exclusive interview: Microsoft talks IE8
Sign up for TechRadar's free Weird Week in Tech newsletter
Get the oddest tech stories of the week, plus the most popular news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at http://www.techradar.com/register
Your comments (5) Click to add a new comment
cyberman
August 27th
5. Have you ever seen somebody lick the chutney spoon in an Indian Restaurant and put it back? This would never have happened under the Tories.
Alert a moderator
eury360x
July 16th
4. I would actually be better Windows 7 not coming with any web browser, this way I can make Firefox open all my email weblinks when I use Outlook Express.
Alert a moderator
eury360x
July 16th
3. Well thats not a big problem, just download Mozilla Firefox or anyother web browser into a USB thumb stick now. Then use it to install your web browser on Windows 7, pretty simple folks it's not the end of the world.
Alert a moderator
sexysofie
June 12th
2. apt-get browser
hahahahahahaha
Alert a moderator
mupwangle
June 12th
1. i remember reading (I don't remember where, sorry!) that they were considering having some sort of dialogue box when you install - a bit like the search option one you get when installing IE8, asking which browser you wanted to use and it would install it. Don't know if they were intending on bundling them or having some sort of ftp utility though.
Anyway, isn't IE pretty much embedded into Windows anyway, so all you're losing when they say it's removed is the front end?
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments