Microsoft to let Windows users choose web browser

BRUSSELS, July 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. software giant Microsoft has proposed to let users of its Windows operating system choose web browser in order to settle a European Union (EU) antitrust case, the European Commission said on Friday.

Following extensive discussions, Microsoft agreed to have a "ballot screen" show at the startup of Windows, from which consumers can easily install competing web browsers, set one of those browsers as a default and disable Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE), the EU's antitrust watchdog said in a statement.

The Commission formally charged Microsoft in January, saying Microsoft's tying of its web browser IE to its dominant client PC operating system Windows infringes EU rules on abuse of a dominant position.

In June Microsoft proposed to sell the newest version of its Windows operating system in Europe without any web browser and offer its IE separately and free of charge.

But the Commission had suggested Microsoft should allow consumers to freely choose from different web browsers, instead of providing a browser-free Windows.

"Microsoft's intention to separate Internet Explorer from Windows, without measures such as a ballot screen, would not necessarily have achieved greater consumer choice in practice and would not have been an effective remedy," it said.