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Story: Microsoft prepares scaled-down Windows for Europe

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Why do I suspect that MS will make this scaled-back version as unappealing as possible?

"In addition to lacking a copy of Windows Media Player, the new version of Windows won't be able to do things like play a CD."

Does this mean that MS is going to remove the stand-alone CDPlayer.exe program too? That would just be plain silly, unless it's MS's intent to sell as few copies of this new version while still being seen to comply with the EU's Ruling. Then presumably MS would point to the dismal sales figures and the costs of creating the new version, and turn around and say "See? We told you so! This was never in the customers' best interest, and we have been damaged as a result!"

And can those who buy the scaled-down version still download and install Windows Media Player from the MS website, should they so choose? This would seem like an important part of placing WMP on an equal footing with its competitors.

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