European versions of Windows 7 will be without Internet Explorer

Microsoft plans to remove Internet Explorer from versions of Windows 7, which will be sold in Europe due to problems with antitrust laws. The choice of the supplied browser will remain with computer manufacturers.

According to the AT Internet Institute in Europe, the prevalence in IE is 59.5%, in Firefox 31.1%. Opera has 5 percent, and Safari 2.5%. The loss of IE from April to November 2008 was 5%.

A stripped-down Windows 7 “E” will be sold in the European Union, as well as in Croatia and Switzerland. Microsoft will also remove its browser from the European versions of Windows 7 "N", in which there is no Windows Media Player.
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For manufacturers of computers, Microsoft will offer a free “IE 8 pack”, which allows you to return IE to the system, which may also be important for regular Windows 7 customers, since the lack of a browser will not give a direct opportunity to download an alternative.

via CNET (I recommend to get acquainted with the original).

Microsoft Official Statement

Update : the theme has been developed - Removing IE from Windows can exacerbate the situation - the European Union .