It wasn’t too long ago when Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) came under fire for “monopolizing” the software scene with programs such as Internet Explorer and Media Player automatically set as default on its OS platforms. The European Union was one of the company’s biggest critics, and Microsoft seems to be bending under the pressure.

Recently, Microsoft announced that it would be testing a new “ballot screen” on European copies of Windows XP, Vista, and 7 shortly. The ballot screen will let users choose their browser between 12 of the most popular choices on the market today. The choices will be randomized, so Microsoft leaves the ultimate choice to the user.

The update will be offered via automatic download over Windows Update. Users who use Internet Explorer as their default browser will be shown a screen explaining the update. And if Internet Explorer was pinned to the Windows 7 taskbar prior to the update, it will be unpinned when the update executes.

Should probably appease Microsoft’s biggest critics, although it won’t stop users who find Internet Explorer particularly useful from re-selecting it as their default browser. The official roll-out is expected to be phased release starting on March 1st.

Via: Neowin