How to Install a Web Broswer in Windows 7 E or N (IE8 KB968771, Firefox, Google

[javajolt]

Unless you’re buying a PC in Europe (including UK) where OEM manufacturer has decided to pre-install a web browser on the Windows 7 E or Windows 7 N operating system, which has been stripped off Internet Explorer 8 (IE8), and worse for N SKU, where Windows Media Player related related technologies been removed as well. The no-browser to download browser problem also facing end-user who purchase retail full packaged product (FPP) or upgrade license of Windows 7 E or N. So, without a web browser to start with and go to Internet in all editions of Windows 7 E or N (i.e. Windows 7 Starter, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate), how would one go about download and install a web browser in Windows 7 N or E?



It’s expected that majority of the OEM (original equipment manufacturers such as HP/Compaq, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, Gateway, Sony, Fujitsu, Toshiba, ASUS, etc) and PC vendors will bundle and include a copy of Internet Explorer (IE) when they ship the computer to customers. However, if your new PC doesn’t have a browser, or you fresh install Windows 7 E or Windows 7 N with self-purchase DVD media or disc, Microsoft does provide suggestion on how to get a browser for Windows 7 E or N.

On a Windows 7 help page on installing Windows 7 E, end-user is request to download and save his or her preferred browser, such as Internet Explorer 8, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Opera and any other web browser’s setup installer to a storage device, which can be a DVD, USB flash drive or an external storage device. Once Windows 7 E or Windows 7 N is installed, user can then run the setup executable for the web browser in order to install the browser and get to Internet.

For people who always forget to backup or save a copy of browser on external storage device or media, Microsoft does offer Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) CD for ordering, although shipping and handling charge does apply. Microsoft is also said to will be including a copy of IE8 CD bundled for free together with Windows 7 E or N DVD disc packaging.



In fact, Microsoft has Internet Explorer 8 Feature Pack in the form of standalone update package called KB968771 Update for Windows. The Windows Update standalone installer of KB968711 will install Internet Explorer 8 onto Windows 7 E or N system. Thus, the IE8 will likely be delivered through Windows Update or Microsoft Update channel, making availability of a browser for those browser-less system a matter of few clicks. It’s also rumored that Microsoft may provide a FTP server for end-users in Europe to download IE8 installer.

The last resort is to order a installation CD of the web browser. Microsoft allows IE8 CD to be order from here
http://bx.businessweek.com/ad-blockers/view?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F~r%2FFeedForMyDigitalLife%2F~3%2Fggjqlq7N3rU%2F,

so does Firefox it's here http://bx.businessweek.com/ad-blockers/view?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F~r%2FFeedForMyDigitalLife%2F~3%2Fggjqlq7N3rU%2F.

In any case, the option of browser selection to install on first use of Windows 7 is unlikely to available.

[davehc]

Don't forget you can also download a browser through the command prompt. It is a long procedure, but is OK if you really have your back to the wall!
Here's how to install Firefox, for example,  without using a browser:
To start FTP, click on the Start menu, then "Run..." and enter:
ftp (or go straight to the Command prompt, run as Administrator, and type ftp)
Then click "OK."
When the ftp prompt appears, type:
open releases.mozilla.org
Then press Enter.
You will be connected to the Mozilla Firefox FTP download site.
Note that you will need to press Enter after every command that follows.
When prompted for your username enter: anonymous As your password enter: your email address
When the ftp prompt reappears enter these commands, one at a time, pressing enter after each one and waiting for a response from the server:
cd pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases
cd latest-2.0
cd win32

Now, to see a list of languages and countries that Firefox is available for, type:
ls
If you live in the United States or you prefer your interface in U.S. English, your next command is:
cd en-US
If you prefer another language, cd to that directory instead.
Next, to find out the name of the current version of the Firefox installer, use one more "ls" command:
ls
This last "ls" command will show you the exact name of the installer for the current version of Firefox 2.0, among other files. You are looking for the filename that ends with .exe. AS OF THIS WRITING, it is:
Firefox Setup 2.0.0.20.exe
But you need to use the ls command to see what the current version is instead of relying on this.
Next, type the command:
binary
To make sure the file is moved as a program and not as a text file, which would ruin it.
Now we need to get it to go to your desktop.'
Fortunately, the desktop "lives" right inside your home folder, so we can use the lcd (Local Change Directory) command to go there:
lcd Desktop
Type:
get "Firefox Setup 2.0.0.20.exe" (If that is the setup program name you found with the ls command. )
(The quotation marks are important!)
The file will take a while to download. On a dialup modem a little longer. When and if the ftp prompt comes back without an error message, type:
quit
You should now find the install on your desktop.