Microsoft Windows forced to offer a choice of web browsers

Users kitted up with Microsoft Windows will be offered a choice of internet browsers in an automatic pop-up menu, thanks to an agreement made today between the software company and the EU.

Early this year the European Union charged with Microsoft with monopoly abuse after tying its browser, Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system.

Users will be sent a software update in March 2010 causing a window to pop-up. This update will present options for the pre-installed Microsoft Explorer as well as offering a selection of alternative browsers including Mozilla’s Firefox and Google’s Chrome.

In total, users will be given a choice of twelve web browsers. These initially will include Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, AOL, Maxthon, K-Meleon, Flock, Avant Browser, Sleipnire and Slim Browser, although they will always be able to fall back on Internet Explorer.

Speaking on the agreement, EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes, said: “Millions of European consumers will benefit from this decision by having a free choice about which web browser they use. Such choice will not only serve to improve people’s experience of the internet now but also act as an incentive for web browser companies to innovate and offer people better browsers in the future.”

The EU has confirmed the choice of internet browsers will be updated every six months, with choices changing depending on how popular they are at the time.

Microsoft has been warned it may be fined up to 10 per cent of its annual global turnover if it doesn’t adhere to the terms of the deal over the next five years. The company has already been fined around $1 billion from previous enquiries into business practices.