You may have recently heard that Internet Explorer 8 can be removed from Windows 7 as of RC1. Microsoft has confirmed that this is the case in a blog post that details the robustly modular nature of Windows 7.
Users of Microsoft operating systems will know that Windows has long held the ability to add and remove Windows features from the Add/Remove Programs panel. Power users will know that the features contained in this panel were usually ancillary items of little import, scarcely worth removal.”Wow, I saved 1MB by removing accessibility options!” I know, I know: You’re thrilled.
Windows 7, in contrast, permits users to strip elements that would have completely bungled XP or Vista had they been removed. You might be surprised to see some of these:
- Internet Explorer 8
- Windows Media Player
- Windows Media Center
- Windows Search
- Indexing Service
This refreshing approach is particularly revealing about the design philosophy behind Windows 7. It started on the right note with the incredibly modular Min Win kernel that landed in Windows 7 as a set of foundational and dynamic APIs and components. This architecture has clearly been carried through to even the highest levels of the operating system in ways that were inconceivable to Microsoft just two years ago.
Few can argue that Microsoft has not seemed especially inspired or driven with the Windows 7 process. The development of the OS is moving at an arresting clip, its developers have been vocal, and the features speak of a firm that has finally learned many lessons.
Whether because Microsoft needed to do it, or because they wanted to do it, Windows 7 is a sign of a Goliath that is stopping to smell the roses.
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