Brussels, 24/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - After an investigation launched on 16 July this year (see EUROPE 10657), the European Commission decided on 24 October to send a statement of objections to US software giant Microsoft, accusing it of breaking its commitment to incorporate a multiple-choice screen in Windows enabling users to easily choose their preferred web browser. In December 2009, the Commission had made these commitments legally binding on Microsoft for five years (until 2014) in order to remedy the competition restrictions arising from the fact that Windows was sold together with Microsoft's browser, Internet Explorer. The choice screen was provided as of March 2010 to European Windows users who have Internet Explorer set as their default web browser, but as Microsoft itself admits, the browser-choice window is not included in Service Pack 1 for Windows 7, which was released in February 2011, thus depriving millions of users of a choice of web browser from March 2011 until the investigation was launched in July 2012. EU Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia said that the statement of objections sent to Microsoft on 24 October is about this failing, about which Microsoft has apologised (saying it was a technical problem) and also about the Commission's concern to ensure the browser-ballot window appears in the next Microsoft system, Windows 8, by having the icon visible and without setting off or requiring warning pop-ups or requests for additional confirmation. Microsoft now has four weeks in which to respond to the Commission's objections, failing which the Commission may take further action. (FG/transl.fl)