There won’t be any Windows 7 E version for consumers in European Economic Area (EEA) after all. Instead, all European end-users will receive a full functionality Windows 7 RTM just like the rest of the world, where the Windows 7 RTM 32-bit and 64-bit retail DVD ISO and Windows 7 RTM 32-bit and 64-bit OEM DVD ISO have been leaked. The decision is made despite European Commission (EC) is yet to make a decision on whether to sign off new Microsoft proposal to ship Windows 7 with Internet Explorer and a web browsers ballot screen both included.
Microsoft decision to drop and kill off Windows 7 ‘E’ version for Europe is confirmed by deputy general counsel Dave Heiner, who said in a statement that “in the wake of last week’s developments, as well as continuing feedback on Windows 7 E that we have received from computer manufacturers and other business partners, I’m pleased to report that we will ship the same version of Windows 7 in Europe in October that we will ship in the rest of the world.”
The main concern for Windows 7 E is worry by computer manufacturers and Microsoft partners about the complexity of changing the version of Windows that will be shipped in Europe if the ballot screen proposal is ultimately accepted by the European Commission and Windows 7 E been stopped selling, potentially confusing consumers about what version of Windows to buy with their PCs.
As a result, Microsoft will no longer selling Windows 7 ‘E’ SKUs in European countries. One immediate drawback is that European consumers will no longer receive Windows 7 full package product (FPP) license when buying a upgrade licese. End-user who wants a full version license of Windows 7 will now have to pay a higher Windows 7 price for FPP license. However, European users who have pre-order Windows 7 through pre-order discount offer will still get Windows 7 full version as promised by Microsoft.
Windows 7 E in fact has been prepared and readily available from Microsft, with both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate E DVD ISO (which can be modified to install any Windows 7 E edition) been leaked to Internet download, together with KB968771 Internet Explorer Feature Pack, which will install IE8 on Windows 7 E system. The ISO image may now be the collector item.
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