Windows Internet Explorer 7 without.

Microsoft's claims of the EU Commission by: Win7 will be in Europe without the Internet Explorer delivered. But the Commission feels misunderstood. No browser to pack, it is also not a solution, it is said from Brussels. The EU will not surrender, but rather "a choice".

 

On the question of whether Microsoft abused its market power, by its Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system has linked, is the powerful software company once almost broken: That the Internet Spätstarter Microsoft in this way an entire market winding and occupied, and went as the "browser -War "to the detriment of the former market leader Netscape in the economic history. The resulting anti-trust cases in the U.S. and Europe cost Microsoft billions. Temporarily, the company was threatened, so in two parts to be dismantled.

On 22 October 2009 is now Windows 7, the successor to the hapless Windows Vista operating system, in the sale. In Europe, Microsoft, quite refined and burned child offenders, thereby avoiding possible actions: Unlike in the U.S., where Microsoft again largely can act freely, the EU Commission to Microsoft strictly on their fingers - here are the antitrust case against the company not finished yet. The accusations against Microsoft: The operating range of coupled and Explorer infringed EU competition rules.

Microsoft is responding obediently: To comply with European competition, will Windows 7 without pre-browser program Internet Explorer sold, told the US-based Microsoft on Thursday. Internet Explorer users should be in Europe instead separately in an easy-to-install version available. This was not an ideal, but given the ongoing process in Europe is the best way, told the group.

Commission criticizes Microsoft's obedience

But the EU schmeckt Wettbewerbshütern well not quite, the Commission feels misunderstood. Although there is a suspicion that there has been a combination of Windows with the browser software to distort competition, the Commission said late on Thursday evening in a press release. The solution was not, no browser, but a selection of browsers offer.

One positive was the fact that Microsoft Computer manufacturers appear to make such a choice would, it is said in the statement continued. This would also indirectly benefit consumers, since most PC directly with Windows sold. There will still be necessary to establish whether this concession to the software manufacturer, was sufficient, said the Commission. A final decision will soon fall.

The Brussels competition authority in 2004 was already against the linkage of Windows with the music and video software Media Player proceed. After the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in this case was right, opened the competition authorities in January 2008 a further procedure because of the tying of Windows with Internet Explorer and various office applications.

Microsoft Windows in its various versions, with just over 90 percent market share remains the dominant operating system on the market for home computers and office PC.

For browsers other hand sees it differently. Although Internet Explorer is currently installed in principle was decided in recent years as more and more PC users to competing products such as Firefox, Opera or Chrome last. In Germany, Firefox in the private use Internet Explorer as the most popular browser is now replaced, in Europe, he is on the way there. The times of the successful browser monopoly is over - despite the coupling to the operating system.