A few years ago, when ordered by a judge to remove Internet Explorer from the Windows operating system, Microsoft offered as one option an operating system that wouldn’t work. I called this “compliance with a raised middle finger.”

Now, ordered by the European Union to sell a version of Windows with Media Player removed, Microsoft proposed to name the OS “Windows XP Reduced Media Edition,” another example of the company’s tendency to give the finger to government whenever the mood strikes. (This latest insult-the-judge move is even more puzzling given that the EU didn’t tell our favorite monopolist to sell the “reduced” version at a lower price, which means that PC makers are hardly likely to opt for a version that has less software at the same price.)

Anyway, Microsoft agreed to rename (eWeek) the non-Media Player version after the EU protested. But this leaves open the issue of what the actual name should be.

The title of this posting offers one suggestion. Here are some other possibilities, all showing due appreciation for Microsoft’s rare combination of arrogance, paranoia and predatory skill.
Windows Government Censored Version
Windows We Should Be Able to Bundle A Roast Beef Sandwich With the OS If We Want To Edition
Windows Don’t Blame Us For Your Security Problems Edition
Windows Until We Become Part of Your Taxes Edition

You get the general idea. But Microsoft needs your ideas, too. Post them below.

Let’s work together to assist a poor helpless giant.

UPDATE: As usual, someone has thought about this before I did. See this funny posting by Rex Hammock.