Windows 8 patch to add browser ballot screen in EU

Due to complaints by the European Union, Microsoft has issued a patch for its upcoming Windows 8 operating system that will introduce the browser ballot screen that the software giant had to implement in Windows due to a ruling by the European Commission.

Windows 8 users will receive the update automatically, provided that they have selected the automatic update for their systems, and will then be offered the option to choose from a range of various web browsers to install, others than Internet Explorer.

“On a PC running Windows 8, a tile for the Browser Choice update will be added to the Start screen,” Microsoft notes.

“On a PC running Windows 7 or Windows 8, the Internet Explorer shortcut will be unpinned from the taskbar,” the company continues.

As soon as the update has been installed, Windows 8 users will be presented with the Browser Choice screen as soon as they reboot their PCs.

EU antitrust regulators are currently investigating whether Microsoft is locking out third-party browsers in Windows 8. Regulators are looking into allegations that Microsoft is refusing browser makers full access to APIs in Windows 8 and Windows RT. In an interview with Reuters, Joaquin Almunia, the European Commissioner in charge of antitrust enforcement, said that he consideredthe matter "a very, very serious issue".

"In my personal talks with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer he has given me assurances that they will comply immediately regardless of the conclusion of the anti trust probe," Almunia said at an economic conference in northern Italy, adding that he considered the matter a "very, very serious issue."