Microsoft, bowing to U.S. government demands, will make it easier for computer users to substitute rival Web browsers for the company's Internet Explorer in its latest operating system.
The revisions address charges from competitors that the world's largest software maker was flouting an antitrust settlement by continuing to make it difficult for consumers to use non-Microsoft applications.
Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Justice are discussing other changes that may be made to Windows XP. They will likely be made available to consumers through an update kit that could be released as early as June.
The changes may boost the use of RealNetworks RealPlayer music and video downloading software and AOL Time Warner Web browser, Netscape Navigator. RealNetworks and other rivals say they have been stymied by Microsoft's alleged failure to live up to its agreement with the U.S. Justice Department last November.
"Microsoft's strategy has been full-steam ahead, concede nothing, not change its behavior, ever," said Robert Lande, a law professor at the University of Baltimore.
Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler confirmed one change, saying the company will put a feature allowing Explorer to be disabled in a more prominent place in its Windows XP operating system.
Desler denied that the company has failed to adhere to the settlement. Microsoft agreed to change the location of the disabling function to "go the extra mile" even though the company believes its original placement "was consistent" with the settlement, he said.
Microsoft "will make changes from time to time" in response to "feedback" related to the agreement, he said.
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