Windows 7 (UK, Europe) - IE8? WMP?

[DarkStar_GT]

Ok,

The Internetz are confusing me

Is anything missing from the UK (or European) versions of Windows 7 compared with their US equivalents?

I had read that IE8 and WMP (and other stuff) would not be incluided - but some say that they are.

Also, doesn't Windows Update rely on having IE installed anyway?

[Philipp]

Ermm good question,

All ours seem to have both WMP and IE8, I belive there is a option in IE8 that lets you choose another browser

[o0~Wiz~0o]

Yup my Win7 upgrade has both too. The only time I ever use IE is to initially download FF. lol

[Philipp]

I’m going to get slaughter on here for saying this.....

I like IE

/runs!!!

[o0~Wiz~0o]

No slaughtering here jusy a Q... Why?

[Syllopsium]

No slaughtering here jusy a Q... Why?

Some people enjoy insanity

Actually, IE8 isn't that bad, but I prefer Firefox overall.

Eventually Windows 7 should get a browser selection screen to enable choosing your browser. This was agreed with the EU instead of cutting out IE. I think the current situation is that Opera are whinging about their position in the browser list because, like, competition is So Unfair *stomp**stomp**stomp**SLAM*

(Funny how if Opera is so wonderful it gets beaten in market share not only by IE, but also by Firefox and Chrome, both of which are also free..)

PK

[superscaper]

I’m going to get slaughter on here for saying this.....

I like IE

/runs!!!

I do too, I even have Opera, Chrome, FF installed as well. But just prefer IE. It also tends to cause the least headaches with different off-the-shelf software etc in my job (software development).

/runs even faster and hides!!!

[bobfleming]

The wifes win7 ultimate came with them, but after a while using chrome I find IE so ponderous, although the odd page still moans about it but nothing major.

[BobF64]

I think the current situation is that Opera are whinging about their position in the browser list because, like, competition is So Unfair *stomp**stomp**stomp**SLAM*

This is much as I see it.

Opera, and others, complain because its cheaper to get the EU to punish Microsoft, for providing consumers what they want, than to spend money on advertising.

I think that most users dont care what browser they use, or even understand why one might be better than others, they just want to get on the internet as easily as possible.

However, the other part of the problem is that all these anti-competition rules apply to just those targetted, rather than being universal. If they are going to tell Microsoft they cant include their browser by default, the same should apply to ALL other companies doing the same, be it a Desktop PC or a mobile device.

[krispy_b]

This is much as I see it.

Opera, and others, complain because its cheaper to get the EU to punish Microsoft, for providing consumers what they want, than to spend money on advertising.

I think that most users dont care what browser they use, or even understand why one might be better than others, they just want to get on the internet as easily as possible.

However, the other part of the problem is that all these anti-competition rules apply to just those targetted, rather than being universal. If they are going to tell Microsoft they cant include their browser by default, the same should apply to ALL other companies doing the same, be it a Desktop PC or a mobile device.

ahah someone who thinks the same as me. I personally think the EU just see's Microsoft as a cash cow they can keep bleeding to make a few extra quid.

You're quite right - it's funny how competition rules only apply to the big players like MS. Let's see mobiles / handhelds / Mac's be stripped of any browser, and force users through hoops to put one on the machine. No hang on lets not, cause it's daft - just as daft to say MS couldn't put a browser into their new OS on release (luckily they backed down on that one). As long as there is no code to stop users installing a different brand of browser, then I can't see any issue.

I remember when the only big brand browser was the netscape one, which slowly turned terrible.. and which you were meant to PAY for - and it was Microsoft who introduced a free browser (early IE was pants mind you!). But it was MS who broke the 'pay for your browser' mentality.

Saying all that I do use Firefox most of the time, due to the easy and good addons for web developers.

[BobF64]

I remember when the only big brand browser was the netscape one, which slowly turned terrible.. and which you were meant to PAY for - and it was Microsoft who introduced a free browser (early IE was pants mind you!). But it was MS who broke the 'pay for your browser' mentality.

Saying all that I do use Firefox most of the time, due to the easy and good addons for web developers.

Yup, when I first started, it was all Netscape or Mosaic, with Netscape eventually becoming free. Then Microsoft added IE to Windows 95 and it was all downhill from there.

And as said, people are free to use whichever browsers they like, its just a case of advertising enough to get them to change.

I also use Firefox most of the time, and Opera at work, both have advantages over IE, but cant think of any advantages IE has over them...

[DarkStar_GT]

I also understand that you do not get an eMail client (Outlook Express or Live Mail) in Windows 7 unless you download the Windows Live pack. Is that correct?

If so, what do you use?

[tehguy]

As far as I know it's only the 'N' editions of Windows which ship without WMP - and these are only available in Europe as Microsoft were told by the European court after a ruling against them to offer a version of Windows which did not include a media player. I know they made an 'N' edition of Windows XP Professional - not sure if they did it for Vista or 7.

[NightOwl]

I also understand that you do not get an eMail client (Outlook Express or Live Mail) in Windows 7 unless you download the Windows Live pack. Is that correct?

If so, what do you use?

I don't know offhand what, if any, client ships with Windows 7, sorry. I started using Thunderbird when the retail version of Win7 came out*... it does a pretty good job of handling different email accounts and suchlike so I'm reasonably happy with it. I have no experience of Outlook/OE so cannot offer comparisons on features or usability. I think Thunderbird is quite highly regarded, it's free and regularly updated/improved so it's a good one to try, IMHO. It also works rather well on Win7 64-bit.

*The email client I had been happily using since 1996 worked fine on all beta versions of Win7 but the final code introduced a bug in calling the 64-bit Explorer extension, needed to launch my client, view my email folders etc. So it's broken. I tried virtual XP mode but it's slow and transferring/configuring/using my client in that environment is a total PITA hence my trial of Thunderbird. The arrogant gits at M$ say they have no intention of fixing this Explorer bug even though it affects a number of programs that rely on this part of the OS to work at all. Pah!

[ma9mwah2]

I also understand that you do not get an eMail client (Outlook Express or Live Mail) in Windows 7 unless you download the Windows Live pack. Is that correct?

If so, what do you use?

correct, you have to install it later from the windows Live website.

[BobF64]

I know they made an 'N' edition of Windows XP Professional - not sure if they did it for Vista or 7.

I believe so, the MSDN has ISOs for the N editions of Windows 7 at least.