Sick of Internet Explorer being the default browser on Windows? That could soon change if the busy bods in Brussels have their way: to keep them on its side, Microsoft’s proposing to allow you to choose a different web surfing program from the very start instead, including arch rivals like Firefox.
Microsoft’s monopoly spat with the European Union over forcing users to accept Internet Explorer with Windows has led to an absurd situation, with Windows 7 having to go on sale here without any internet browser baked in. To make amends for this bizarre turn of events (How are you supposed to install an internet browser without a browser, hmm?), Microsoft’s come up with a new proposal: to let you choose from the get go which browser to use.
With this version of Windows, clicking on a link for the first time will take you to a ballot page, where you can choose from the ten most popular browsers to install and set as default. They’re arranged by market share, so Internet Explorer is still first (surprise), but it does lead to the amusing scenario where Microsoft has to offer you the choice of its major competitors, like Firefox, Google Chrome, and even Apple’s Safari. Many people don’t give a moment’s thought to which browser they use, so hopefully this move will reduce Microsoft’s dominance.
Of course, Microsoft’s not keen on this. It’s dragging its feet and says it won’t be able to create the Windows plug-in for the EU for 3-6 months, and what brand new version of Windows is coming out at the beginning of that timeframe? Expect plenty of people to plump for Internext Explorer before the pen pushers force Redmond to give us more choice.
Out TBC | £TBC | Microsoft (Via PC Authority)
