Microsoft strikes deal with EU over Vista

 

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By Steve Malone

Posted on 16 Oct 2006 at 11:59

Microsoft has confirmed that it is on track to deliver Windows Vista to volume customers in November worldwide - including the European Union and Korea. Following negotiations with the EU, Microsoft has agreed to a number of changes to Vista that will be rolled into the release of the product worldwide.

'Microsoft agreed to make a number of changes to Windows Vista in response to guidance the company received from the European Commission,' said Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith.

The company has agreed to change the configuration of Internet 7, which is due to be released later this month. Microsoft says that IE 7 will not have a default search of Windows Live Search but will allow customers to choose their own.

Following concerns raised by Adobe, Microsoft will be submitting the XML Paper Specification (XPS) file format that competes with Adobe's PDF format to a standards organisation and promises to do so 'shortly'. It will also be changing the licensing terms of the format.

Microsoft has also agreed to make changes to the controversial PatchGuard security feature recently criticised by McAfee and Symantec. Microsoft has proposed a compromise whereby PatchGuard is retained as a defence against malware and hackers. However, Microsoft will publish a new kernel level API to allow PatchGuard to remain yet allow security vendors will have an opportunity to develop their own competing products.

Similarly, a new API will address an issue with Windows Security Centre and the sending of alerts to computer users when it finds a competing security centre installed on a PC is also addressed. Use of the API means that the software will not send alerts when it detects the competing security centre.

There had been fears that Vista's launch in Europe may be delayed following concerns in the European Union that the new operating system may breach unfair competition rules. South Korea has raised similar concerns.

'We recognize that the European Commission does not give 'green lights' for new products, and we have not asked for one,' commented Smith. 'We appreciate the constructive dialogue we have had with the commission and the guidance the commission has provided. Based on this guidance, we have made changes to ensure that we're in compliance with our competition law obligations, and we are moving forward to make Windows Vista available on a worldwide basis.'