Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on our part, but it sounds like Microsoft – in the very nicest way, of course, to avoid any further fines – just told the European Commission to go f**k itself.

See, at press time, CNet was saying as how it saw a confidential memo that Microsoft sent to OEMs and that Microsoft plans to ship Windows 7 in Europe without its browser at all leaving it to the OEMs to put it back in complements of a free “IE8 pack,” ship a different browser or ship a bunch of browsers.

There will be no version that includes the browser either through OEMs or through retail.

The retail consumer will have to get IE via CD, FTP and somehow.

The move, which would throw a monkey wrench into upgrades, would deny its rivals a free ride on Windows. The OEMs could sell the space for a king’s ransom. Firefox and Opera couldn’t afford it. Apple could care less. And Google could ante up.

Faced with the logical conclusion of its own logic, the EC – which remember is supposed to be protecting the consumer – reportedly said that it “had suggested to Microsoft that consumers be provided with a choice of web browsers. Instead Microsoft has apparently decided to supply retail consumers” – roughly 5% of the total – “with a version of Windows without a web browser at all. Rather than more choice, Microsoft seems to have chosen to provide less.”

It also reportedly said, “As for sales to computer manufacturers, Microsoft’s proposal may potentially be more positive. It is noted that computer manufacturers would appear to be able to choose to install Internet Explorer – which Microsoft will supply free of charge – another browser or multiple browsers.”

The suggestion has Opera, which brought the original complaint, howling.

Microsoft’s deputy counsel has basically allowed on Microsoft’s legal blog that it may not get away with this. But it’s fun anyway, isn’t it?

• EC Threats Pry Microsoft Clam Open
• Microsoft Loses Bid To Stay EC Order; Windows Will Be Unbundled in Europe
• Microsoft Loses EC Appeal Big-Time
• Has the EC Finally Bitten Off More Than It Can Chew?