Europe clears Windows 7 for takeoff

Browser agreement passes EC scrutiny

The agreement between Microsoft and the European Commission on the bundling of Internet Explorer means Windows 7 is cleared to ship with IE included later this month.

Microsoft’s general counsel Brad Smith explained in a conference call: “Windows 7 will ship as planned – users will get Windows 7 then some time later they will get a Windows Update which will include the code to launch the ballot screen.”

Smith said: “PC makers can continue to install any browser they want. Secondly, users can turn any browser on or off, and thirdly, for the next five years, users with Internet Explorer as their default will get a ballot screen so they can easily download, install and make the default another browser.”

The ballot screen is displayed as a web page rather than a separate application, but Smith dismissed suggestions this was an issue.

Read more: channelregister.co.uk