From March 1 millions of Internet Explorer users in Europe will be offered an alternative browser, say Microsoft. After a legal agreement reached between Microsoft and Europe’s Competition Commission in December, Microsoft will now allow Windows PC users to use the browser of their preference, rather than Microsoft IE being a default.

In a report from BBC News, it is said that in Belgium, France, and the UK tests are currently in progress for the update. It is thought that more than half of the internet users in the world have IE.

According to Dave Heiner, the Microsoft vice president, users for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 will automatically receive a software update option. Other browsers offered will be Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari and Opera.

Rory Cellan-Jones, the BBC’s technology correspondent said it “presents Microsoft’s rivals with a unique marketing opportunity, although he also pointed out that people who’d never had to make a decision about browsers will now be required to choose. What do you think about this latest Microsoft move? Will you be grateful to have a choice of browsers?