Microsoft allows Users to Cut Internet Explorer 8 from Windows 7
Two bloggers reported on Wednesday that a just-leaked build of Windows 7 lets users remove Internet Explorer (IE), the first time that Microsoft Corp. has offered the option since it 
integrated the browser with Windows in 1997.
The move could have been encouraged by recent charges by the European Union that Microsoft has stifled browser competition by bundling IE with its operating system.
According to postings, the 7048 build of Windows 7, a version that has not been released to the public but is available as a pirated copy on file-sharing sites includes an option to eliminate Internet Explorer 8.
Windows 7 Build 7048 first began appearing on file-sharing sites, such as The Pirate Bay and Mininova, a two Bit Torrent tracking sites, on Monday. Mininova reported more than 21 000 downloads of the pirated operating system.
Microsoft has only released one build to the public, Windows 7 beta, build 7000, which it rolled out on January 10th but has since stopped offering. The company has been quiet about when it will deliver another build to users, though it has hinted that it would do so when it wrapped up a “release candidate”.
Accusations were made last month by EU antitrust officials against Microsoft’s bundling of IE, and the possible actions it may demand. One solution under consideration would require Microsoft to disable IE if the user decided to install a different browser, such as Mozilla Corp.’s Firefox or Googles Inc.’s Chrome.
Microsoft had no comment when asked to confirm whether Windows 7 will let users dump IE8 or whether the option was in reaction to the EU charges.
