Microsoft axes Windows 7 E in Europe

If you pre-ordered Windows 7, you might not get the version you asked for through your door when the new OS launches in October.

It's this whole Internet Explorer thing. Originally, Microsoft was going to ship Windows 7 in Europe without a Web browser. That version was called Windows 7 E, and it's the version you pre-ordered.

But now, instead, Microsoft is going to let users choose what browser they want when they fire up Windows for the first time. They'll have up to ten browsers to choose from, including Internet Explorer. And this means a separate European version is no longer required, assuming the European Commission is all fine and dandy with the ol' Microsoft switcheroo.

In Microsoft's own words, it will "ship the same version of Windows 7 in Europe in October that will ship in the rest of the world". That's something we in the industry call a 'humiliating climbdown'.

So you could well get a full version of Windows 7, but you might not. It also raises questions about whether we can get the Windows 7 Family Pack, which we were told was only available for non-Windows 7 E editions.

But answers to these question are scarce. We've been trying to find out what version you pre-orderers can expect through the door in October, but honestly, it seems even Microsoft doesn't know. Its press office could only speculate non-conclusively, and couldn't offer us an answer at the time of publication.

We're going to continue to hound them for answers. Expect an update here first.