Windows XP N is a special version of Windows XP.

Windows XP N come out after European Union ordered Microsoft to remove Microsoft Windows Media Player before selling it in Europe. < table>
Link to WIndows XP N

So, does it solve the problem? Well, Yes and No, I would say.

Yes because Microsoft can avoid the hefty daily fine by EU.

No because as people in EU can continue to buy the full version of Microsoft Windows, which does not cost more than the reduced version, Microsoft Window XP N, thus making the whole thing pointless. Korean government has some similar experience with Microsoft too, but they are demanding for Windows Messenger to be removed too.

Here is some words from Microsoft Press Release:

“Originally released to computer makers in January 2005, the latest versions of the XP operating systems without Windows Media Player follow further clarifications from the European Commission. These products will be made available to computer manufacturers on June 15 in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, and will be available to other distribution channels, including the retail and volume licensing channels, on July 1. The remaining language versions ??Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese and Swedish ??will be available to computer makers on July 1 and to other distribution channels on July 15.”