"The government is not trying to destroy Microsoft, it’s simply seeking to compel Microsoft to obey the law. It’s quite revealing that Mr. Gates equates the two."

--Government official

Summary: Microsoft's ego keeps Internet Explorer in Vista 7

VIEWING the browsers situation in Europe, Business Insider wrote about the severe implications for Microsoft, which illegally obtained its market share in the place.

EU Move Another Nail In Coffin Of Microsoft's Monopoly (MSFT)

[...]

The latest EU decision, in which Microsoft will offer European PC buyers a choice of browsers, is not a big deal in and of itself. Many of the users offered a choice will still choose IE, and Europe isn't the world. Also, since Microsoft makes no money from selling the browser, the decision won't have a financial impact.

Tough situation, eh? Well, Microsoft will not even accept a punishment for crimes that it committed a decade ago and was never properly punished for in Europe. Microsoft snubs the EU and goes ahead as if it is above the law. IDG News Service was among the few publications which wrote about this over the weekend. There were two articles:

i. Microsoft drops plan for Windows 7 without browser

Microsoft is canceling its plan to offer versions of Windows without the Internet Explorer browser in Europe, a move that was supposed to ease antitrust concerns.

ii. Microsoft kills Windows 7E, puts IE back in upcoming OS

Betting that European antitrust regulators will okay its proposal for a "ballot screen" and facing opposition from computer makers and corporate customers, Microsoft late Friday abandoned plans to ship Windows 7 without Internet Explorer (IE).

One of our readers has his own interpretation as well. ⬆