More Windows 7E details come to light

After being quiet for very long, Microsoft has released several more details regarding Windows 7E on the Windows Team Blog. Windows 7E will come without Internet Explorer 8. The move was made as a response to criticism faced from EU antitrust regulators in order to ensure that Windows 7E could be launched on October 22nd. The posting is in the form of a Q&A Technical Evangelist Giorgio Sardo.

Giorgio explains that the only functional difference in Windows 7E is that Internet Explorer 8 is not available. Basically, a regular copy of Windows 7E with IE8 turned off under Windows Features is Windows 7E. All the Internet Web Platform Components such as WebOC, will still remain since they are part of the Windows Core. This means that those who want to test application compatibility with Windows 7E can simply go to the “Turn Windows features on and off” dialog and turn off Internet Explorer 8 to simulate the behaviour of Windows 7E.

It was also emphasized that “a vast majority of applications work on Windows 7E without any changes.” However, the post does outline three different classes of incompabilities that can be expected from applications.

Microsoft did also confirm that Windows 7E and normal Windows 7 will be available on MSDN at the same time. Users who want to install Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7E can download the Internet Explorer 8 Feature Pack. It will be available on the Microsoft Download Center soon after the operating system’s release.

There was no word as to whether Internet Explorer 8 will be offered additional by retailers which we posted about last week. However, the Amazon Germany promotional page for Windows 7E clearly states that users will have the option to include the Windows 7 Feature Pack for free along with their purchase of Windows 7E. Stay tuned for our Windows 7E FAQ.

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