Microsoft “Strongly” Encouraging OEMs To Bundle OneNote With Windows 8.1

Many years ago, there were some who were outraged that Microsoft bundled Internet Explorer with every copy of Windows where they were accused of monopolizing the browser market, which at that time consisted of fewer players than there are today. Could Microsoft soon be landing themselves into another similar predicament with Windows 8.1?

According to a leaked memo, it seems that Microsoft has recently begun to share the Windows 8.1 Update 1 with OEMs to allow them to install it onto their products before it is shipped to consumers, thus saving the user’s time from downloading the update themselves. However according to the leaked memo, it seems that Microsoft is also “strongly” encouraging OEMs to bundle the company’s OneNote app together with the update.

Sure OEMs could choose to ignore it and not bundle OneNote, but apparently OneNote integration is part of Windows 8.1 and by not bundling it, it would leave a blank space where the OneNote tile would be located, at least according to Microsoft in the leaked memo, so unless users wanted to be greeted by a blank tile versus other OEMs who might choose to install OneNote, we’re guess most would readily comply.

Of course this is not a bad thing since Microsoft’s OneNote is a pretty popular app. In fact the company had recently released a version of OneNote for Mac where the app quickly shot to the top of the charts. If you’re wondering what OneNote is, we guess it would be quite similar to Evernote where users can share information with one another in a free-form sort of way.

What do you guys think? Are you happy that Microsoft will be bundling OneNote with the Windows 8.1 update?

Tyler Lee
Categories: Computers
Tags: Microsoft, OneNote, Windows 8