..and now PC users in Europe have to lie in it.

The European Commission on Thursday laid out mixed responses to Microsoft’ s move that will strip Internet Explorer out of European versions of Windows 7:

“As for retail sales, which amount to less than 5 percent of total sales, the Commission had suggested to Microsoft that consumers be provided with a choice of Web browsers,” the Commission said. “Instead Microsoft has apparently decided to supply retail consumers with a version of Windows without a Web browser at all. Rather than more choice, Microsoft seems to have chosen to provide less.”

So why did Microsoft decide to keep Internet Explorer out of its upcoming release of Windows 7?

If you’ll remember, the EU spent years going after Microsoft on antitrust matters related specifically to its bundling of products with Windows.  Outside of the EU’s objection to the inclusion of Windows Media Player on all Microsoft OSes,  they also the inclusion of Internet Explorer and cried “foul” by hurling anti-trust allegations (and threats) in Microsoft’s direction.

What the EU fails to understand is that this isn’t 1996 any more.  There is no more Netscape to protect against big, bad Microsoft.  The web browser has evolved into an Internet utility, a program “type” instead of a program itself.  It’s an application, and the EU just interfered with your ability to use it.

In an attempt to spin this in a positive light, the EU offered the following:

“As for sales to computer manufacturers, Microsoft’s proposal may potentially be more positive,” the commission said. “It is noted that computer manufacturers would appear to be able to choose to install Internet Explorer–which Microsoft will supply free of charge–another browser or multiple browsers.”

What this means is that if you’re buying a new PC in Europe, you could be faced with the sales question “Would you like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or Other?”  Even though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, a problem arises when a new copy of Windows 7 is purchased through retail channels and installed on a system as an upgrade.  If the PC is on a high-speed connection, how are you supposed to load the browser of your choosing without the ability to browse?

To right this wrong, I have a suggestion for the EU:

Take the millions of dollars you obtained from Microsoft in sussing out this idiocy, get with AOL and have them show you how to create a ton of CD’s to distribute to end-users.  Doing this will not only allow upgraders the ability to load a browser, but you will ultimately be funneling money to Netscape in the process… 13 years too late, mind you, but no one expects government agencies to act quickly or efficiently, so it will all work out in the end.