According to the Globe and Mail, Microsoft has taken a step back and will now allow for third party search applications to be used in the new Windows Vista operating system.
Microsoft’s decision came a week before a government review of Microsoft’s 2002 antitrust settlement compliance demanding the use of such third party apps.
All of this comes after Google’s 49 page document was filed back in April with the Justice Department. Google’s antitrust complaint stemmed from Vista’s built in desktop search tool causing Google’s free desktop search to run slowly, and that it was very difficult for a user to turn off, or replace Microsoft’s desktop search.
“Microsoft’s current approach to Vista desktop search clearly violates the consent decree and limits consumer choice,” said David Drummond, Google’s chief legal officer. “These remedies are a step in the right direction, but they should be improved further to give consumers greater access to alternate desktop search providers.”
Upon release of the first service pack, expected late this year, Vista users will be able to view links to other possible default search applications including Google’s Desktop Search.