Windows 7 Features Besides IE8 Can Be Turned Off (NewsFactor)

It's a simple checkbox, but it has big implications. During a detailed examination of a recent beta build of the forthcoming Windows 7 operating system, Aeroexperience bloggers Bryant Zadegan and Chris Holmes discovered an option to turn off Internet Explorer 8. Last week, the pair posted screen captures of the new off switch, along with a step-by-step description of the removal process. 

Microsoft has waged a long-running battle with antitrust regulators in both the United States and Europe on whether Internet Explorer is an intrinsic part of the Windows operating system or a monopolistic, anticompetitive add-on. Europe has been particularly aggressive on the subject, and has assessed millions in fines against Microsoft for its software-bundling practices. 

Off Switch Confirmed 

Since Windows 7 is still in the beta testing stage, there is no guarantee that any particular element will make it into the final product when it is released late this year or in early 2010. However, in response to inquiries on the Aeroexperience discovery, a Microsoft spokesperson provided a link to a company blog entitled Engineering Windows 7. Based on a post from Friday, Microsoft seems committed to giving users the option to turn off multiple features. 

"In Windows 7," said Jack Mayo, group program manager for the Windows 7 documents and printing team, "we are expanding the number of features you have control over in this regard, giving customers more control, flexibility and choice in managing the features available in this version of Windows." In addition to IE 8, users will be able to turn off Windows Media applications, the DVD Maker, Handwriting Recognition, and Windows Search. 

As Holmes and Zadegan pointed out, there is no option to prevent Windows 7 from installing Internet Explorer 8 or other unwanted features during the setup process. Instead, you have to drill down into the Control Panel to find the Windows Features screen. Even after you deselect Internet Explorer 8, two reboots and an intermediate configuration step are required to stop the program. 

Mayo conceded that Microsoft received numerous requests to offer configuration options during setup, but elected not to do so. "As we balanced feedback," Mayo said, "the vast majority of feedback we have received was to streamline setup and to reduce the amount of potential complexity in getting a PC running. We chose to focus this feature on the post-setup experience for Windows 7." 

Will Europe Be Satisfied? 

The multimillion-dollar question is whether an off switch for certain Windows features will be enough to placate European regulators. Microsoft is currently battling antitrust claims filed in Europe by its leading browser competitors, including Opera, Mozilla and Google. 

Professor Neil Barrett, the European Commission's former monitoring trustee for Microsoft, told the British Broadcasting Company that he welcomes the changes. "For competitors, this will allow them to compete on all fronts," Barrett said. "It also benefits European Commission monitoring, as this will give them a clear understanding of what would be needed in the future should other firms fall afoul of antitrust laws."