Microsoft Readies Slimmed-Down Windows

[Spinner]

As part of its efforts to appease European authorities, Microsoft has made a few last minute changes to its slimmed down version of Windows, now called 'Windows XP N' previously called 'Windows XP Reduced Media Edition". Microsoft said today that the revamped software will be made available to computer makers next week in five language versions and will be available for retailers July 1st.

http://www.short-media.com/images/newsimages/2005/June/windowsxpn.jpg

The new retail box for the software includes an explanation of what the N stands for, noting in a starburst box that XP Home Edition N means "Not with Windows Media Player."

Changes under the hood are relatively modest. Microsoft said it has agreed to a change requested by RealNetworks in how certain media file types are registered in Windows. Microsoft has removed sample music files from the My Music folder, as well as access to Windows Movie Maker.
Source: News.com (http://news.com.com/Microsoft+updates+slimmed-down+Windows/2100-1016_3-5737415.html?tag=nefd.top)

[yagga]

As long as these extra programs are default uninstalled or can EASILY be taken off after an os install I really don't care all to much. ...stuff like windows messenger, the email program, etc. (I know I am forgetting a lot) We know Microsoft won't reduce the price. And isn't this just like Apple osX? All this iCRAP this iCRAP that bundled software? Why is no one going after them? I certainly shutter at the words real player, and will never install that crap ever, even the pro/adwarefree version, which I am sure you also have to pay money for if you are being legal.

This probably won't sell great, but if Microsoft screws up Longhorn and takes away all the things we have been accustomed to, like the "classic" things, then a Lite version would sell, ONLY if it was meant to run on older pcs and not just the same os with one missing program. This would actually be great, but if it were just stripped down it really wouldn't probably be worth it in my mind, but a truly 'optimised for best performance' windows might sell to gamers or the like, it would truly have to be engineered though.

This just seems a little silly to me for how subtle it is.