Andre Yoskowitz
6 Mar 2009 16:07
Microsoft has noted today that the upcoming RC of Windows 7 will include an "on/off" switch for Internet Explorer 8, making the browser not mandatory for the first time ever.
The option can be accessed through the control panel and will "turn IE8 off" but not necessarily uninstall the browser. By turning the feature off, the IE8 executable file "iexplore.exe" is deleted but the browser can be turned on again whenever the user wants.
Jack Mayo, group program manager for the Windows 7 document and printing team, added that the company wants to give users more options in turning off features that they may not necessarily need or want.
"We want to provide choice while also making sure we do not compromise on compatibility by removing APIs provided for developers," Mayo said. "We also want to strike the right balance for consumers in providing choice and balancing compatibility with applications and providing a consistent Windows experience."
Mayo did not add a release date for the new public RC but did say a final version of the OS will be available in Q1 2010.
Among other features that can be "turned off" in Windows 7 are "Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, Windows DVD Maker, Windows Search, handwriting recognition, Windows gadget platform, fax and scan, and the XPS viewer and services, including the virtual print driver."