Microsoft gives option to boot out IE

Microsoft has included in recent Windows 7 test versions an option to turn off the Internet Explorer 8 web browser, according to testers who have used the recent builds.

According to one tester, build 7048 of Windows 7 includes Internet Explorer as one of many Windows components that can be turned on or off via a "Windows Features" dialogue box. The control panel exists in the public beta version of Windows 7 but IE8 is not listed among the features that can be turned on and off.

Microsoft declined to comment on the feature's inclusion, as well as the reasons behind the move. But some are speculating it might have something to do with the European Union's objection to the inclusion of a browser within Windows.

The software maker has cautioned that the EU may seek to have Microsoft allow PC buyers to choose their browser and then require Microsoft to disable certain IE code if a user chooses a non-Microsoft browser.

Microsoft is making a number of changes to Windows 7 as it moves from the beta to "release candidate" stage. However, the IE change was not one that was mentioned in a recent Microsoft blog posting on the topic.

Original article: Microsoft may let Windows 7 users turn browser off from CNET News.com