Windows users in Europe will have a slew of Internet browsers to choose from between now and mid-May after the European Commission forced Microsoft to give European Windows Vista, XP and 7 users a choice. The settlement was reached after decade-long battle between Microsoft and the European Commission after Norwegian browser maker Opera filed a complaint.
Microsoft paid more than $2 billion in antitrust fines and agreed to provide users a choice through a browser ballot. European users launching Windows will be greeted with a screen asking which browser they want to install and use.
Computer manufacturers are also able to install competing browsers on Windows PCs instead of — or in addition to — Internet Explorer. Microsoft agreed not to retaliate against manufacturers who preinstall a non-Microsoft web browser and make it the default on the PCs they ship.
Competitors are happy with the EC’s decision and hope the move will educate users about choice. Google plans to use the focus on browsers to educate consumers through its What Browser web site, which provides information on browsers and encourages visitors to try new browsers.
The browser-choice screen will be shown on more than 100 million PCs in Europe between now and mid-May.
“This week we are starting the distribution of the browser-choice screen to European Windows users, in compliance with the European Commission’s decision and ahead of the agreed deadline,” said Kevin Kutz, Microsoft’s director of public affairs.
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Google’s Chrome, Apple’s Safari, Opera and Mozilla’s Firefox will be the top choices on the pop-up screen. The placement of browsers will rotate from computer to computer so that none of the top browsers will be listed first each time Windows is launched.
If Microsoft doesn’t follow through on its commitment to the choice screen, it risks being fined…