Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Browsers
How to install a browser if you don't have a browser (Windows 7 E)
by Brad Linder Jul 16th 2009 at 2:00PM
There are a number of answers. Probably the simplest is to download the installer file for your browser of choice on another computer and copy it to your PC after installing Windows 7 E using a USB flash drive, CD, or other removable storage media. For instance, if you've got a PC running Windows XP and you want to upgrade it to Windows 7, just download the Firefox, Opera, Safari, Google Chrome, or other installer files, store them on a flash drive, and then go ahead and upgrade. In fact, this is pretty much what Microsoft recommends European users do before upgrading.
Another option is to order a CD with Internet Explorer on it when you purchase Windows 7 E. Microsoft is selling IE8 installation CDs for about 3,90 € or £3.44.
You can also purchase Firefox on a CD for $4.20 from the Mozilla Store.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andy Gratton said 2:43PM on 7-16-2009
I'd of thought you could just use Windows Update (which is no longer browser based) and just grab IE8, or has been removed too from the E version?
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Steve said 2:50PM on 7-16-2009
Shipping costs for such a low price item to EU is really not worth it. Not paying almost $30 for a $4 item.
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harmx said 2:53PM on 7-16-2009
...erm, IE8 will be on the Windows Live disc within the Retail Windows 7E package.
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Zachary Waldowski said 3:14PM on 7-16-2009
I totally forgot about that. I was wondering how Microsoft would assauge the complaints of people (including myself) who didn't want Movie Maker removed and replaced with a crappier alternative. I then remembered how Windows XP included a second sleeve ("Enhance your eXPerience" or some bullshit) with WMP9 and Movie Maker on it.
Stephen.4 said 3:08PM on 7-16-2009
Bet the people who didn't want IE8 packaged with Windows, are now thinking twice about it.
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Dave Forster said 3:18PM on 7-16-2009
Wouldn't it have satisfied everyone if they just asked you during install to download IE as soon as it detects an internet connection ?
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Magic Power said 3:30PM on 7-16-2009
Don't forget that the majority of people who get a computer with Windows 7 (the E version or not), already get a computer preconfigured for (most) everyday use: Anti-virus, Browser, Office programs, and even the little programs that get thrown on specificly from the producer himself. For this majority there is no question: What if I don't have a browser? Then already have it.
Of course, they also get 'nagware' on it, and some of those programs, specificly anti-virus, will be trial-ware and will only work (normally) for a month or so.
For those who install their OS themselves: They'll have to get the browser first, indeed.
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Zwade Sandy said 3:36PM on 7-16-2009
Command line ftp seems like the best option;
ftp ftp.microsoft.com
get ie8.exe
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Ashish said 5:07PM on 7-16-2009
Microsoft should make it even more difficult to install a browser in W7E
You have inserted a CD containing a browser. Are you sure that this is the browser you want?
The computer will now shutdown and restart in 16 hours. Think it over.
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der_tuxman said 6:05PM on 7-16-2009
ftp.exe ftw
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Molly said 8:39PM on 7-16-2009
mind you, a web browser will be installed on new computers, the OEMs will take care of that (and guess what's it gonna be :)
as for those few loonies who actually buy windows 7 retail, well, i'm sure they're savvy enough to take care of matters for themselves.
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Matt said 5:52AM on 7-17-2009
THANK you, Molly!
Jesus, people! Like Joe End User is actually going to start up a computer, find it devoid of a browser, and then start riots in the street! Where do you come up with these things?
Just like always, all end systems sold to actual customers (and not tech geeks like us) will be packed within an inch of their lives with stupid bloatware and useless trial programs, AND a BROWSER! Almost certainly Internet Explorer, for those of you who like it so much!
If you're going to install Windows 7 on a blank drive, I think you can handle the trauma of not seeing that little blue letter when the desktop loads.
Everyone is so up in arms about Windows 7 E, like it means anything, geez...
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iubyont said 4:36PM on 7-17-2009
since most consumer computers come preloaded with software, this problem doesn't really affect them. if your upgrading from vista, this won't affect you. the only people this might cause a problem for are xp upgraders or system builders. if your an xp upgrader, download the ff/ie/chrome/opera installers and put it on a usb flash drive or on a cd and install from there. if your a system builder, either download the installers using an old computer or a friends. if IE8 is actually on a seperate disc included then everything I just said is pointless and there will be no problems.
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James said 7:34AM on 7-18-2009
Just because nobody else has chimed in yet, I'll take charge and say it: Europe is retarded.
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Eldiablo said 12:21PM on 7-20-2009
Correction, Our MEP's (Members of the European Parliment) and their cronies are retarded.
EnvyGeeks said 12:04AM on 7-18-2009
What James said. This entire matter with the EU anti-trust case made me lol. It's not like Microsoft put an intentional loopback preventing FireFox.Com from being loaded. Amirite?
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lex said 10:28PM on 8-27-2009
Just think how long u work to remove the ie from win xp and then to disable on vista. Now u have the opportunity to have a winos without the ie and complain ... where are the old reputable geeks.
I love this option and i hope and wait to see the moment when win will come "empty" ... without any app and let us to decide what to do. Just give me the freedom to handle myself...;)
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