The problem about the IE was raised by Norwegian-developed Opera Software ASA which argued that by integrating the IE into its operating system, Microsoft creates an unfair advantage over its competitors in the Web browsing market. 

 

The software giant already included that option into the latest beta releases of Windows 7. Users of those Windows versions can turn off the IE 8 via a "Windows Features" check box.  That version of the OP is built 7048, according to Chris Holmes, Cnet News reported. However, although the control panel exists in the public beta version of W7, IE 8 is not on the list of features that can be turned off. The control panel check boxes also give users the option of turning off the Windows Media Player.

 

Microsoft did not comment on the issue of the turn-off checkboxes, but in a recent quarterly filling, it asserted that the European Commission is considering imposing a rule under which computer producers would be required to include multiple Web browsers on the new machines and offer the alternative of disabling IE 8 if they chose another Web browser. 

 

Microsoft is very aware of the fact that Windows 7 must be a hit, a home run if possible. If the disaster the software company had with Windows Vista will be followed by another turn-off for customers, Microsoft would find itself in apposition hard crawl out of.