H1000 posted:.....
"So why wouldn't Microsoft want to include a driver within its operating system for this popular type of device."
I cant speak for Microsoft....but as I said, MTH is the party responsible for providing the driver (or access to it).... I guess you could say they did, in a news flash.
"Still doesn't explain why my new out of the box (and never connected to the internet) computer worked perfectly when connected to the TIU."
I suppose it is possible that your "new out of the box computer" has the same FTDI chipset on the motherboard, so the installed version of Win 7 already includes the driver....not a statement of fact, but it's possible!
Ed