Microsoft offers computer users choice of browsers

By Claudine Beaumont, Technology Editor Published: 10:02AM GMT 01 March 2010

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Opera Software says downloads of the browser have some-more than doubled given Microsoft rolled out the browser list box

From today, people using Microsoft"s Windows handling complement will be presented with a shade asking them to select that web browser they would similar to to use. Computer users will be means to select in between twelve opposite browsers, trimming from obvious browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox and Opera, to a little some-more problematic software, such as K-meleon and Sleipnir.

Microsoft was forced to deliver the browser "ballot box" following a statute by the European Commission that Microsoft"s use of pre-installing Internet Explorer on each new computer was anti-competitive. The Commission supposed Microsofts suggest of rolling out the list box opposite the range of Windows machines, that it believes will have it simpler for computer users to select an pick browser to Internet Explorer.

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"Millions of European consumers will good from this preference by carrying a free preference about that web browser they use," pronounced Neelie Kroes, the EU"s foe commissioner. Ms Kroes pronounced the statute would additionally action as an inducement to opposition browser makers to go on building and mending their products. The statute stays in outcome for five years, and relates opposite the European Economic Area.

The list box will be pushed to Windows users using XP, Vista and Windows 7, around an involuntary program update, and will usually be shown to computer users who are not already using a opposite default browser.

The box, headed, "An critical preference to make: your browser", will underline Opera, Google Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer and Firefox in a pointless sequence on the initial territory of the list screen. The alternative browsers, together with Flock, Avant and Maxthon, will be listed in a pointless sequence on the rest of the list screen. There is report next each browser surveying the key features, and a symbol that allows computer users to simply download and implement the browser of their choice.

Some computer experts have voiced concerns that computer users could be confused by the update, and be concerned that their computer has been compromised by hackers or putrescent with a virus.

According to web dimensions organisation Net Applications, Internet Explorer has a 62 per cent share of the browser market, with Mozilla"s Firefox browser the closest opposition with a twenty-four per cent marketplace share.

Full list of accessible browsers

* Avant * Google Chrome * Mozilla Firefox * Flock * GreenBrowser * Internet Explorer * K-meleon * Maxthon * Opera * Apple Safari * Sleipnir * SlimBrowser