Windows 7 to be shipped in Europe without Internet Explorer

From Ars Technica -

in response to an antitrust investigation by the EU into whether it is abusing its dominant position with Windows and Internet Explorer, Microsoft will be shipping a special version of Windowss 7, Windows 7 E, without the browser. The special version will be distributed in all member nations of the European Economic Area as well as Croatia and Switzerland.

Microsoft has previously shipped the media-player-free Windows XP N and Windows Vista N in Europe also in response to an EU antitrust investigation. But unlike the N versions, which proved to be very unsuccessful as Europeans simply purchased the full retail versions and OEMs refused to used them, Microsoft will not offer the full version of Windows 7 in Europe.