Microsoft is creating E versions of Windows 8, builds of the future operating system that will not include Internet Explorer, its popular web browser.
Microsoft had prepared E versions of Windows 7 as well, but they were scrapped after a ballot-screen system was built to avoid antitrust complaints in Europe. Why Microsoft is preparing Windows 8 E editions is not known at this time, as legal action against Microsoft in recent quarters has been less focused on antitrust matters.
Microsoft is also preparing multiple versions of Windows 8 for ARM environments, perhaps a surprising move given the reduced computing power of the chips. The full list of Windows 8 versions uncovered today, as discovered by our friends WinRumors, are as follows:
ARM.Starter=00342
ARM.StarterN=00345
ARM.StarterE=00348
ARM.HomeBasic=00346
ARM.HomeBasicN=00358
ARM.HomeBasicE=00349
ARM.HomePremium=00359
ARM.HomePremiumN=00362
ARM.HomePremiumE=00351
ARM.Professional=00371
ARM.ProfessionalN=00376
ARM.ProfessionalE=00352
ARM.Enterprise=00392
ARM.EnterpriseN=00403
ARM.EnterpriseE=00355
ARM.Ultimate=00426
ARM.UltimateN=00432
ARM.UltimateE=00356
Two builds of Windows 8 have leaked to the general public in recent weeks, spurring a deluge of leaks about the secretive next-generation OS from Microsoft.
The OS is set to contain several user interface changes that will lend it to tablet and slate computing environments simply and effectively. Currently, Windows is exceptionally clunky to use with any sort of touch interface. However, certain ‘immersive’ elements are to debut in Windows 8 that are designed to alleviate the issue.
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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has called Windows 8 the company’s most ‘risky’ product release yet.
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