Compaq Computer Corp tried to remove Microsoft Corp’s Internet Explorer from its Windows 95 personal computers or at least remove the internet icon that automatically starts Internet Explorer, but Microsoft said if Compaq did that, it would terminate its Windows 95 license. Compaq also tried to remove the Microsoft Network icon, to a similar response and Micron Electronics and Gateway 2000 Inc got similar response to their requests to remove IE. These revelations come from memorandums filed by the three PC vendors in support of the government’s allegation that Microsoft has broken the 1995 consent decree drawn up between the feds and the company. Microsoft maintains that the browser is part of the operating system. It maintains that Internet Explorer was part of the original Windows 95, which was launched August 24 1995. Version 1.0 of IE had been launched earlier that week. The government alleges that forcing companies to install separate programs aside from Windows 95 violates the decree. If the feds can’t press the point home with IE, surely the inclusion of an MSN icon leaves some grounds for investigation?
