Microsoft will bend to European competition laws and deliver the new operating system Windows 7 without the integrated Internet Explorer - that was an announcement made by the software giant in its law blog.

The European Commission blames Microsoft so misuse its market position and to constrain competitors such as Google, Firefox and Opera by its integrated browser. Microsoft obviously wants a smooth launch of Windows 7 and therefore decided not to integrate the browser.

The competitors Firefox, Opera and Google have already filed a complaint at the European Commission which is currently verified. The Commission treated Microsoft's announcement with reserve since the case of cartel proceedings has not been closed yet.

If the European Commission agrees to the complaint of Opera and Co. it will propose Microsoft to offer their operating system including alternative browsers and not to deliver their systems without a browser at all.

Update June 16, 2009
As expected the comments of the internet browser providers Opera and Mozilla about Microsoft's plans to ship the European version of Windows 7 without Internet Explorer were rather critical. Both providers think the changes would not be extensive enough and "computer makers would choose the Microsoft browser anyway as this was the easy option”, says Opera chief technology officer, Hakon Wium Lie to VUNet.

During installation of Windows 7 Wium Lie would rather see a screen that presents users a choice of different internet browsers. That option would support the EU concept.

Also Mozilla executive John Lilly is rather unimpressed by Microsoft's proposals due to missing exact details of the concept.

More interesting articles about Internet Explorer 8:
• Windows 7 FAQ: Frequently asked questions answered
• Windows 7: Internet Explorer 8 can be disabled
• Internet Explorer 8 RC1 versus five competitors - browser benchmarks