Internet News

Internet Explorer – other browsers are available

Millions of Windows users will be asked if they wish to switch browsers over the next few weeks, which could have a serious impact on Internet Explorer's market share.

In December 2009, Microsoft made a legal agreement with the European Commission to tackle several issues of anti competitiveness. The most notable outcome was that it agreed to offer a web browser choice screen to all Internet Explorer users in Europe.

Now, the web giant has explained how it plans to implement this decision in technology policy blog Microsoft on the Issues. Customers in the UK, France and Belgium will become the first to receive an invitation to change browsers this week, ahead of a phased roll-out across Europe from March 1st 2010.

Windows Update to offer browser choice

All users of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 will be offered an automatic download through Windows Update. They will then be presented with a pop-up that lists the top five browsers in random order, along with an 'Install' button and a 'Tell Me More' button. Those browsers are Internet Explorer 8, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari and Opera.

There is also an option to check out a further seven browsers, which again will be listed in random order. For Windows 7 owners, the update will also automatically unpin Internet Explorer from the taskbar.

Internet Explorer has long enjoyed a dominant position in the industry with an estimated 60 per cent share of the global market. Its position has been reinforced by the ubiquity of the Windows operating system, which comes with the browser pre-installed. Internet Explorer's nearest rival is Firefox from the Mozilla Foundation with an estimated 31 per cent share of the market.