Two Conclusive Reports Debunk Microsoft's Claim That Deleting
Internet Explorer Will Render Windows 95 Inoperable
Independent Analyses Conducted by CMP's Computer Reseller News and CMP's
Windows Magazine Call Into Question Software Giant's Response to Judge's Ruling
MANHASSET, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 1997-- Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT - news) Internet Explorer Web
browser, the focus of the Department of Justice's inquiry into the Redmond, Wash., software giant's business practices, can
indeed be disabled by computer manufacturers without rendering Windows 95 inoperable, according to independent analyses
conducted by CMP Media's Computer Reseller News and CMP's Windows Magazine. The reports clearly refute Microsoft's
claim that removing its Internet browser from Windows 95 prevents the operating system from functioning.
The Windows Magazine report is posted on its Web site at winmag.com, while the Computer Reseller News
technical analysis from its CRN Test Center can be found at crn.com.
Microsoft said Monday that it would comply with U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson's order by allowing
computer makers to delete the browser-related files from the operating system, but that it would render Windows 95
inoperable. The Department of Justice fired back yesterday, asking the judge to hold Microsoft in contempt.
After several weeks of extensive analysis of the Windows 95 Registry and Internet Explorer, Windows Magazine Consulting
Editor John Woram developed specific instructions to safely delete the maximum amount of IE 3.0 code from the latest version
of Windows 95 (OSR/2.1) without damaging the operating system's stability or performance.
A separate analysis conducted by the Computer Reseller News Test Center suggests that Microsoft's position is pure politics.
It found that Internet Explorer can be simply disabled by deleting one file and a desktop shortcut, as opposed to the 228
system and browser files that Microsoft asks manufacturers to remove. The Test Center was then able to boot the operating
system and applications, including Netscape's (Nasdaq: NSCP - news) competing Web browser, without any residual
problems.
CMP's Windows Magazine is an essential resource for more than 800,000 Windows technology buyers who look to the
monthly publication for advice on what to buy and how best to integrate those products into their business. The publication
features high-level, authoritative, product-focused coverage, including news, reviews, features, how-to's and opinionated
columns from industry veterans, including Editor Mike Elgan. Windows Magazine can be found online at
winmag.com.
Published by CMP Media Inc., Computer Reseller News has a circulation of more than 115,000 and reaches readers with the
product trends and industry news needed to sell comprehensive technology solutions. The publication's news coverage is also
available via e-mail through CRN Direct. This free, customizable daily newsletter -- available in both text and full-HTML
formats -- allows users to choose up to 20 companies, products and trends to track. Registration for CRN Direct is available
through CRN Online at crn.com
CMP Media Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPX - news) is a leading print and online publisher of newspapers and magazines about
technology and an innovator in technology-related Internet products and services. CMP's offerings serve the broad technology
spectrum in key high-tech markets worldwide: those who build technology, those who sell it, and those who use it. The
company's publication titles, which include EE Times, InformationWeek, Computer Reseller News and Windows Magazine,
along with products and services created exclusively for the Internet, can be found on CMPnet at cmpnet.com. |
