Microsoft agrees to randomise browser choices

Microsoft has reportedly introduced a plan to shuffle browser choices as part of its ongoing legal negotiations with the EU.

Reports from both Bloomberg and The New York Times cited internal sources in reporting that the company would randomise the choice of browsers users are offered when installing an operating system.

Such a system would put all of the suggested browser choices on equal footing and prevent Microsoft from being accused of favouring its own browser when offering customers the choice of what they use to surf the web.

The ordering issue had been a point of contention among critics of Microsoft's deal with the EU. Some have argued that by setting up the order to offer Internet Explorer first on the list or by burying top competitors at the bottom of the order, Microsoft can continue to manipulate the market.

Microsoft has been working with the EU to finalise a deal and put a formal end to its antitrust dealings in Europe over the inclusion of IE with Windows.

Dating back to the mid 90s, the company has been accused of illegally undercutting its competitors in the web browser market by bundling Internet Explorer as a free component within Windows. The issue was a central tenant to the landmark antitrust decision against Microsoft.