The upcoming release candidate for Windows 7 will give users the possibility to switch off features such as Internet Explores, Media Center and Windows Media Player, the company announced Friday.

The option will be available through a control panel called "Windows Features," which will allow IE 8 to be turned off. The feature does not uninstall the browser. Instead, it deletes the IE 8 executable file "iexplore.exe." All other components remain, and the browser can be turned back on through the same panel. This is to prevent users from having to hunt for installation disks if they ever want to reinstall the browser.

Even though it might appear users will be able to configure much of Windows 7 during the installation and setup process, Microsoft felt that in order to reduce the complexity of getting Windows up and running, the disabling feature will only be available after installation is complete.

Other features available for switch-off Fax and Scan, handwriting recognition, Windows DVD Maker, Windows Gadget Platform, Windows Search, and XPS Viewer and Services.

"If a feature is deselected, it is not available for use," said Jack Mayo, a group program manager on the Windows team. "This means the files (binaries and data) are not loaded by the operating system and not available to users on the computer. These same files are staged so that the features can easily be added back to the running OS without additional media. This staging is important feedback we have received from customers who definitely do not like to dig up the installation DVD."