Till Thursday, only the users that have bought a Windows license have been able to download Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 7 browser. But starting Thursday the famous software company has removed the Windows Genuine Advantage validation requirement for the installation of this version from the Internet Explorer browser series.

Thanks to this move, all the users, including the ones running counterfeit or pirated copies of the Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 operating systems, are now able to download, install and use the Internet Explorer 7.

Microsoft has released the Internet Explorer 7 about a year ago and it has restricted it to the users that could prove that they own a legitimate copy of the operating system. Before the company allowed the browser to be downloaded, the user’s PC was being run through a Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation test, which is a prime part of XP’s antipiracy software.

But although a year ago Microsoft has said that the rights to the Internet Explorer 7 browser is one of the rewards of being legal, the company seems to have quickly changed its mind few days ago, when it has said that the move will be in the users’ best interest.

"We're updating the IE 7 installation experience to make it available as broadly as possible to all Windows users," wrote Internet Explorer program manager Steve Reynolds in a blog post.

Also Reynolds said that the Internet Explorer 7 WGA-free includes also some minor updates.

“The menu bar is now visible by default.

The Internet Explorer 7 online tour has updated how-to’s. Also, the “first-run” experience includes a new overview.

We’ve included a new MSI installer that simplifies deployment for IT administrators in enterprises,” wrote Reynolds.

However this is the first time when the company has removed a Windows Genuine Advantage check for a major product. But with Firefox’ market share growing more and more, Microsoft’s move seems to be the right one.