Microsoft will change its “Shop for Music Online” feature in Windows XP so that it does not automatically invoke the Internet Explorer Web browser, thus complying with a Department of Justice mandate. The Justice Deparment had complained that this use of IE violated the company’s anti-trust consent decree with the government.Microsoft will change its “Shop for Music Online” feature in Windows XP so that it does not automatically invoke the Internet Explorer Web browser, thus complying with a Department of Justice mandate. The Justice Deparment had complained that this use of IE violated the company’s anti-trust consent decree with the government.Right now, when an XP user selects Shop for Music Online, located by default in the My Music folder, Microsoft’s IE browser pops up and directs the user to Microsoft’s Windowsmedia.com site, even if the user has chosen a different default browser such as Netscape or Opera. Windowsmedia.com includes music for downloading and links to online music retailers.Microsoft had already planned to change the feature as it revamped its Shop for Music Online offering for “business reasons,” said Stacy Drake, a company spokeswoman. A Windows update released in February or March will remove IE as the music service’s default browser, she said. Further revamps of the music service Web site are in the works, Drake said. In November, Microsoft announced it was planning to launch its own music download service during 2004.The Shop for Music Online feature had been a point of contention between Microsoft and the Justice Department since late last year. Government lawyers had complained to a judge that the feature could be “inconsistent” with the anti-trust settlement approved by a federal court in November 2002. “While we differed in our interpretation of the consent decree, we are pleased the changes we’ll be making also address government concerns,” Drake said.”It’s an issue that’s resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.”Asked if the decision to revamp the music service and change the default browser came after Justice Department complaints, Drake said she wasn’t sure if the decision was made after the complaint or simultaneously. The decision was “on a separate track” from the Justice Department complaint, she added.The Justice Department issued a statement Thursday saying it was pleased with Microsoft’s decision to remove IE as the default browser, even if Microsoft did not agree with the agency that the music feature violated the consent decree. “Regardless of the reason for the change, the Department is pleased with the removal of the override and firmly believes that it is the appropriate outcome,” the Justice Department statement said.Microsoft’s music site was built using ActiveX controls optimized for use with IE, Drake said. The revamped site will use a different programming technology, although she declined to name it. Related content how-to Doing tricks on the Linux command line Linux tricks can make even the more complicated Linux commands easier, more fun and more rewarding. By Sandra Henry-Stocker Dec 08, 2023 5 mins Linux news TSMC bets on AI chips for revival of growth in semiconductor demand Executives at the chip manufacturer are still optimistic about the revenue potential of AI, as Nvidia and its partners say new GPUs have a lead time of up to 52 weeks. By Sam Reynolds Dec 08, 2023 3 mins CPUs and Processors Technology Industry news End of road for VMware’s end-user computing and security units: Broadcom Broadcom is refocusing VMWare on creating private and hybrid cloud environments for large enterprises and divesting its non-core assets. By Sam Reynolds Dec 08, 2023 3 mins Mergers and Acquisitions news analysis IBM cloud service aims to deliver secure, multicloud connectivity IBM Hybrid Cloud Mesh is a multicloud networking service that includes IT discovery, security, monitoring and traffic-engineering capabilities. By Michael Cooney Dec 07, 2023 3 mins Network Security Network Security Network Security Podcasts Videos Resources Events NEWSLETTERS Newsletter Promo Module Test Description for newsletter promo module. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe