Microsoft gives option to remove IE from Windows 7

[gxsaurav]

This just in & in a shocking way. In the latest pre-RC1 build of Windows 7 build 7048, Microsoft has given an option to remove Internet Explorer thereby deleting iexplore.exe & removing all traces from operating system.

Source

I couldn’t believe this when I saw it, but it’s true. Internet Explorer 8 is fully removable in Windows 7 build 7048. I believe this fully squashes the case that the EU has against Microsoft?


*chris123nt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/features-thumb.png


As you can see in the above screenshot there is a new entry for Internet Explorer 8, if you uncheck it, IE8 will be removed from the operating system. Want proof? Try it for yourself:

1. Enter the Control Panel and look at “All Control Panel Options”
2. Click “Programs and Features”
3. In the left sidebar, click “Turn Windows Features On or Off” (you will be thrown a UAC prompt if you elevated UAC)
4. Wait for the list to load.
5. Look for Internet Explorer 8 in the list and uncheck it.
6. Click OK. You will see a prompt notifying you of a reboot.
7. The machine will reboot once, configure things, and reboot again.

*chris123nt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/progfiles-thumb.png


*chris123nt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ie8-removed-300x187.png

​

As you can see above, currently it just deletes iexplore.exe, which I hope will be revised in future builds, but all references to IE are removed from the OS (see second shot), so my bet is that deleting these files would not harm anything, but then again I could be wrong.
So there you have it, step in the right direction for Microsoft? And a quick solution to the EU’s argument against them? Time will tell.

Keep in mind that MSHTML.dll which is the Trident engine of Internet Explorer stays as it is on the system without any change. This HTML Engine is required for the use of 3rd party application on which Microsoft has no control.

Now, I wonder.....what else could EU, Opera, Mozilla & Google can ask? One thing EU can ask is to give an option to the user to select the brower of there choice in the welcome center of Windows upon first boot. Upon clicking the user will be asked to either use IE or select & download from a list of Web Browser which can be continuously updated using link redirection.

Although we know that the majority of users out there will go for the blue E icon

Seriously, with Windows 7, Microsoft is doing everything right. It clearly is "The Right OS" .

 

[ThinkFree]

Good news.

 

[Faun]

Good to know

 

[koshyjohn]

That IS news. Microsoft is ahead of the curve...

 

[thewisecrab]

I think this is due to that stupid EU ruling that states that MS cannot bundle IE as it will be causing monopoly of MS in the market
Anyway, at least MS is taking steps to ensure that this ruling does not have a substantial impact on them

 

[gopi_vbboy]

ROFL...M$ has just learnt importance of customization

 

[comp@ddict]

Nice move, what's next - Win 7(optional)

 

[gxsaurav]

ROFL...M$ has just learnt importance of customization

HA HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH d: U MADE MY DAY

Microsoft doesn't let there users customize there Windows OS???? that is one big fu**ing hilarious new to me.

 

[redhat]

Where can I get a copy of build 7048??
I wish to try out the RC1...

 

[gxsaurav]

its not officially out yet.

 

[utsav]

I think as long a company or organisation is not earning from any of its product then it cant b called monopoly. IE is a free bundle with windows and I dont know y others sued microsoft for just that. After some day a guy will sue MS that disk defragmenter should not be bundled with windows as it will cause monopoly among other disk defragmenters, then the next day sum1 will sue MS that file explorer is causing monopoly and hampering downloads/sales of third party explorers.
By the time windows 10 comes MS will b selling only the kernel of the OS and we will be installing every other thing frm 3rd parties

 

[Pat]

Thats a welcome move by MS!!

 

[Ecstasy]

Whats the reason behind this?

 

[Power UP]

I think as long a company or organisation is not earning from any of its product then it cant b called monopoly. IE is a free bundle with windows and I dont know y others sued microsoft for just that. After some day a guy will sue MS that disk defragmenter should not be bundled with windows as it will cause monopoly among other disk defragmenters, then the next day sum1 will sue MS that file explorer is causing monopoly and hampering downloads/sales of third party explorers.

Actually they earn money ( mostly in millions of dollars ) through ads and search engines integration. Even mozilla earns quite a sum.

Please correct me if i am wrong

 

[utsav]

Yup they do. Buts thats a free software app anyway for us

 

[NucleusKore]

A much appreciated feature. Let's see if it stays till the final release. And to think that some felt that it was simply not possible for MS to do this?

 

[m@sterchief]

IE sucked really bad man. Its just swiss cheese full of holes that requires never ending patches.

 

[iMav]

Not really sure whether it removes the whole thing or only the exe & some other compos. Check the first comment here.

 

[victor_rambo]

^It does not remove MSHTML.DLL. Its the core required by many other apps using IE engine. Many HTML2EXE use IE engine.

In short, only the front-end is removed, the backend still remains.

 

[escape7]

Interesting news. but personally it dosen't make a difference to me. Linux ftw!