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EU regulators investigating Microsoft's Windows 8

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BRUSSELS, July 18 | Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:28pm IST

BRUSSELS, July 18 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators are investigating whether Microsoft blocks computer makers from installing rival web browsers on its upcoming Windows 8 operating system following complaints from several companies.

The issue is part of an investigation opened on Tuesday into the world No. 1 software company's failure to offer users a choice of rival web browsers which it had agreed with regulators three years ago, a spokesman for the European Commission said.

The EU watchdog is also looking into allegations that Microsoft does not provide access to complete interfaces (APIs) for non-default browsers in Windows 8, spokesman Antoine Colombani said on Wednesday.

He said the investigation will also focus on charges that Microsoft allows only its own Internet Explorer browser to be installed on devices running Windows 8 on Windows RT tablets with British chipmaker ARM's chips.

Colombani declined to identify the companies which made the allegations. Microsoft made no comment.

Windows 8 is due out around October. Windows RT refers to the operating system for tablets where the other players are Apple and Google.

Microsoft's computer partners include Lenovo Group , Acer and Asustek Computer.
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Comments (2)
jabberwolff wrote:
Of course the EU is looking at Microsoft.
Doesnt every company need to provide access so their competitors can compete on their OS? And EU is so broke, they need every penny they can leech from anyone.

Jul 18, 2012 8:57pm IST  --  Report as abuse
iUnderstand wrote:
Since Apple is the largest company in the world, according to market cap, why is it that all iPods, iPhones, and iPads can restrict their browsers, but not Microsoft?

Anyway, this only applies to the ARM underpowered CPU based mobile devices. The Windows 8 for x86/x64 CPU does support any browser. I tried it. And Windows 8 works with Firefox 14, Google 20 in addition to Internet Explorer 10.

Deux poids, deux mesures?

Jul 18, 2012 10:29pm IST  --  Report as abuse
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