Microsoft has revealed further details of how its forthcoming “browser ballot” will work, ahead of next week’s rollout.
Last year, Microsoft agreed to offer Windows users a selection of alternative browsers to settle its antitrust lawsuit with the European Commission. This is being implemented via a Windows Update, which will start appearing on UK machines as early as next week.
The browser ballot will see anyone with Internet Explorer installed as their default browser offered a range of alternatives, primarily Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Opera. The browsers will be offered in random order, along with a button that allows the user to instantly download and install the browser.
The most interesting revelation is that the browser ballot screen will automatically unpin Internet Explorer from the Windows 7 taskbar, although it won’t uninstall the browser from users’ PCs.
Users can pin their new browser to the Windows 7 taskbar by right clicking on its taskbar icon and selecting the appropriate option from the jumplist that appears.
Those users who don’t have Internet Explorer installed as their default browser won’t see the browser ballot screen at all.
The browser ballot will also appear on all new Windows PCs.
Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.
