Microsoft will cooperate with the European Commission to open Windows 8 for consumers who prefer using an Internet Explorer web browser rival.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has assured Joaquin Almunia, head of the European Competition Commission, the software giant will work with the committee and other web browser makers to keep its latest operating system open to competition.

According to Reuters, Almunia said during an economic conference in Northern Italy, “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 antitrust probe.”

In July, Almunia raised concerns how Microsoft was not complying with its obligations to provide consumers a choice in web browsing software.

He already warned the American company of immediate action after it admitted the absence of a web browser choice screen in the Windows 7 Server Pack 1 (SP1).

“We take compliance with our decisions very seriously. And I trusted the company’s reports were accurate. But it seems that was not the case, so we have immediately taken action. If following our investigation, the infringement is confirmed, Microsoft should expect sanctions,” said Almunia.

Remorseful for its error, Microsoft apologized, “We have fallen short in our responsibility to do this. Due to a technical error, we missed delivering the BCS software to PCs that came with the service pack 1 update to Windows 7.”

“While we have taken immediate steps to remedy this problem, we deeply regret that this error occurred and we apologize for it.”

Source: Reuters

Image: Collin Allen via Flickr (CC)

About Francis Rey Balolong

A coffee junkie who spends most of his time writing about the latest news on social media and mobile technology. I would definitely consider myself a nerd (in the coolest most hipster way possible). That being said, I love technology, music, writing, and all things mobile. Follow me: Google+ Twitter

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