Stumbling on to Microsoft's UK Web store could thrust you face-to-face with confusion -- up close and personal with three unusual versions of Windows known as Windows 7 Home Premium N, Windows 7 Professional N and Windows 7 Ultimate N.
The strong arm of European law demands Microsoft offer these confusing 'N' editions, but to understand what they are and why they exist at all, we need a little history lesson.
Back in 2004, the European Commission fined Microsoft a record €497m under an antitrust ruling. The Commission concluded that with a near-monopoly in the operating system market, Microsoft's bundling of Windows Media Player within Windows was anti-competitive. Microsoft was forced to unbundle the software and offer European consumers and manufacturers a version of Windows without it.
Microsoft was allowed to keep selling Windows with a media player, under the condition that it at least offer a version without. This took place in the latter part of Windows XP's life and prompted the release of Windows XP N -- a version identical to Windows XP, but without Windows Media Player.
A couple of years down the line, Windows Vista splatted down in Europe, complete with its own N editions to confuse the poor saps who missed the EC's memo.
Windows 7 N
Fast-forward to today, and a Microsoft spokesperson explained to CNET UK, "The European Commission's 2004 decision requires Microsoft to offer an N version of Windows in Europe. We continue to abide by this ruling."
And so Windows 7 N was born. They cost the same as their non-'N' brothers and sisters, and apart from Windows Media Player, offer the same spread of features.
All you have to do now is decide which of the six non-N versions are right for you, and, wouldn't you know it, we have a handy, simple guide for that as well.
All questions are welcome in the comments.
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Comments 12
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Anonymous 5 August, 2010 23:59
They should have just called it, "Microsoft Windows 7 - Without Media Player for Lame Euros"
Anonymous 13 August, 2010 09:33
This article it's quite useless, EU didn't asked to ditribute a Version N, just asked to be able to choos at setup time to include or not the browser, but microsoft as usual did something really stupid offering (for EU) only this version N.
Another stupid thing like the one they did with Vista & XP where you couldn't uninstall mediaplayer (or messenger) once You installed it ... just why!???
Anonymous 17 September, 2010 21:21
The Americans penalise anyone they feel like for any reason they feel. If we trade with anyone they don't want to trade with then they will happily fine you if you happen to trading with them.
They are the worst protectionists going. So please EU find something else to fine them for.
Windows does not change suffiently for MS to charge for a 'New OS' when they are really upgrades.
jay simms 20 September, 2010 19:45
Were can i find a free windows xp home adition or windows 7 home adition from ???? if some reads this plz message me on dj-napster1990@hotmail.co.uk thank u !! :)
Anonymous 25 January, 2011 16:33
Jay, you can't find a free Windows XP Home edition, or Windows 7 Home edition - they don't exist. You could of course download the free Ubuntu *Home* edition - that'll be the one you want...
Anonymous 25 January, 2011 16:34
Jay, you can't find a free Windows XP Home edition, or Windows 7 Home edition - they don't exist. You could of course download the free Ubuntu "Home" edition - that'll be the one you want...
Anonymous 25 January, 2011 16:34
Jay, you can't find that - they don't exist. You could of course download the free Ubuntu "Home" edition - that'll be the one you want...
Anonymous 4 March, 2011 13:47
Lol to the English patriots who don't feel European. We the other Europeans wished the English were not part of Europe and the European Union or more than you do. England and Britain are a burden for Europe in every sense, the island that believes to be the world's dominant Empire and enjoys living in the 19th century isolated from the rest with the most fascist, stuck in the past and backward society of all Europe.
You have not many friends in Europe, that I can tell you for sure. Britain is a burden and a shame for Europe. The less civilized and most ignorant and illiterate of all. Find a brit who can speak a second language and you'll win the prize. The only ones who can't and the only ones who still live in that classist disgusting middle age society with no trace of real modernity or social advance as in the rest of Europe.
Brits and Americans. Everything through wars, military power and invasions. Not much brains needed. Just violent brainless people.
Many of us wish Germany had sent you both to hell in those two wars. You are worse than the nazis.
anonymous 17 August, 2011 19:15
Use Linux if you have so many ill feelings towards Microsoft commercial products, and stop whining so much. Obviously, the courts screwed up and the only thing they could charge them with under the monopoly rule, was that they installed Windows Media Player. Sounds like the courts are lame.
By the time the proceedings were over, it was pointless.
anonymous 15 September, 2011 10:53
I agree with a lot of the sentiment here, this ruling by the EU was pointless. Having windows media player never stopped me installing anything else. This was nothing more than the EU courts trying to make a name for themselves and earn some money. From what i have read MS only ever sold 1500 copies of the N editions. The consumers really don't care what is bundled with their computer as long as it works. The EU should keep its nose out.
anonymous 16 October, 2011 01:27
That is screwed up! Apple do the exact same thing for their iphones itunes preinstalled and safari preinstalled. I want to see Apple get done for having Itunes preinstalled on iphones and macs.
anonymous 16 November, 2011 22:52
Thanks, I was lost when I was looking at Microsoft's site! They don't mention what the difference is in the description either. Not that hard to say it doesn't include media player.
I don't understand why not including media player makes a difference, you can always install something else and make it default... I do!