Impact Of E & N Versions Of Windows 7

The release of E and N versions of Windows 7 for the European territory has impacts on implementation of the Program. Below are the key impact areas for OEMs who choose to participate in the Program within the European territory.

Eligible Upgrade Paths In Europe

• The upgrade path from eligible Windows Vista products to the "like" versions of Windows 7 that include Internet Explorer 8 will no longer be available to customers in the European territory. As a result, OEMs cannot distribute Windows 7 upgrade media for versions of Windows 7, other than E and N versions, to any end users in the European territory.

• The only upgrade path for end users in the European territory will be from eligible Windows Vista products to the corresponding E or N versions of Windows 7. For example, end users who purchased a PC with Windows Vista Home Premium and who meet the qualifications outlined in the Program Guide will be offered an upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium E or Windows 7 Home Premium N.

• Each Windows Vista product still may only be upgraded to the same language version of the Windows 7 upgrade software version.  Microsoft will release E and  versions of Windows 7 in the same 23 language versions as are currently available for N versions of Windows Vista Products. In a scenario where an end user has a base language operating system (OS) that is not one of the 23 languages offered for the E and N versions of Windows 7, OEMs may fulfill Program upgrade media to the end user in the European territory in one of the 23 supported languages. In such cases, OEMs must notify end users in the European territory that an upgrade to the E or N versions of Windows 7 is only supported in 23 languages and will not be available in the same language version as the Windows Vista product.

• OEMs must ensure that the upgrade version delivered to each end user matches the version of the eligible Windows Vista product. This includes ensuring that all Windows Vista products shipped to End Users in the European territory are upgraded only to the corresponding E or N version of Windows 7.

• OEMs must collect "Ship-To" information from end users requesting upgrades. OEMs must use this Ship-To information to ensure that the E versions and non-E versions of upgrade media are delivered appropriately and in accordance with the requirements of the Program Guide (e.g. the 25 upgrades limitation as stated in the Fulfillment Limitations section).

Inclusion Of A Web Browser

• OEMs may still deliver custom fulfillment media as part of the OEM Managed Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program. This custom fulfillment media may include browser software. 

• Microsoft will license Windows Internet Explorer 8 for E and N Editions of Windows 7 Products (the "IE pack") to OEMs as a royalty-free, standalone product under Desktop Operating System (DTOS) Agreement 12.0. OEMs may use the IE pack to preinstall Internet Explorer 8 on E and N versions of Windows 7, including versions of those products installed on Program upgrade media.

• Microsoft recommends that OEMs include a web browser with Windows 7 upgrade media.

Support Tech ARP!

If you like our work, you can help support out work by visiting our sponsors, participate in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donate to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!