Microsoft finally doesn't have to advertise for Chrome and Firefox browsers

Microsoft is theoretically required to provide browser selection by March 2016, but Microsoft's Browser Selection update page appears as follows: "Microsoft offers browser-selection updates, according to a European Commission decision issued in December 2009." However, the obligations stipulated in the decision have expired, so the browser selection update will no longer be pushed to the new user. "This means that Microsoft can now undo the browser selection window."

In December 2009, Microsoft reached an agreement with the European Union to address the problem of bundling its web browser with its Windows PC operating system. Under the agreement, Microsoft has agreed to allow Windows users to choose to use other competitors ' web browsers for the next 5 years since then.

However, after February 2012, Microsoft no longer provided browser options in the WIN7 system in the European region and continued to bundle IE browsers. The European Union said that about 15 million Windows users did not see the browser selection window at all, a move that violated the EU agreement. Microsoft's explanation is that the browser selection window does not appear in Windows 7 SP1 due to technical problems with software upgrades. Microsoft, however, accepted a hefty 732 million dollar fine from EU antitrust regulators (equivalent to around 11% of Microsoft's global revenues) and responded:

We take full responsibility for the problems caused by technical errors and apologize for this. We provided the Committee with a complete and impartial analysis of the situation. We have taken steps to strengthen our software development and other processes to prevent similar mistakes from happening again.

Over the past 10 years, Microsoft has been punished by the European Commission for violating EU antitrust laws. Data show that before the fine, the European Commission has made Microsoft a total amount of about 2.2 billion dollars in fines. The main reason is that Microsoft failed to provide information to competitors at a fair price and bundled its media player with its operating system.

Over the past decade, Internet Explorer's market share has been as high as 90%, thanks to a bundled model with Windows, and under the influence of Microsoft's 09 deal with the European Union, market research firm StatCounter data showed that in December 2010 the market for Firefox was 38.1%, IE market share of 37.5%, Google Chrome shares for 14.6%,ie for the first time in the main market by other browsers beyond. The lifting of Europe's obligations now means that Microsoft is finally no longer free to advertise its competitors, especially Google's Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers.

In addition, it is said that it was Google and opera company to the secret, the EU only found that Microsoft failed to comply with the settlement agreement. And a few days ago, in Microsoft and other waves of company's efforts, Google search business in the European Parliament has been split. Hey, when revenge.