A placard of the Microsoft's Windows 7 stands on display at the Computex 2009 trade fair in Taipei, 2009

Internet users in Europe can now access Microsoft rivals' web browsers through its dominant Windows system, the EU Commission has said. Microsoft was forced to open up its Windows operating system to rival Internet browsers in a landmark accord unveiled in December but activated only on March 1.

Bringing down the curtain on a decade-long anti-trust tussle, the legally-binding agreement will see new computer users presented with 12 browser options when they configure their systems.

"Giving consumers the possibility to switch or try a browser other than that included in Windows will bring more competition and innovation in this important area," said EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia.

Apple's Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Opera will now each be displayed prominently alongside Microsoft's own Internet Explorer browser.

Another seven, regularly updated to reflect user charts, will also be included in an agreement that frees Microsoft from the threat of fines worth 10 percent of its turnover, which hit 58.44 billion dollars in the year to June.

The accord -- which applies to the 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein -- concerns computers running Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Source: Bangkokpost