Microsoft to open Vista to Google

Microsoft agreed on Tuesday to make changes to the desktop search feature in Windows Vista in an effort to assuage Google and head off a further antitrust battle with US regulators.

In a filing made jointly with the Justice Department on Tuesday night, Microsoft said it would change the search feature as part of the first service pack to Windows Vista. In the filing, Microsoft talked for the first time about when that service pack would arrive, saying a beta version will come by the end of the year.

Under the agreement, Microsoft will create a mechanism whereby both computer makers and individuals will be able to choose a default desktop search program, much as they can choose a rival browser or media player, even though those technologies are built into Windows.

In the filing made with the judge overseeing Microsoft's consent decree, regulators said: "Plaintiffs are collectively satisfied that this agreement will resolve any issues the complaint may raise under the Final Judgments, provided that Microsoft implements it as promised."

As part of the pact, Microsoft is required to do three things in relation to desktop search. First, it has to add the mechanism for computer makers and users to change the default desktop search.

Second, according to the filing, that default search program "will be launched whenever Windows launches a new top-level window to provide search results". That includes the Start menu, but not other areas, such as the Windows Explorer, where Microsoft includes a search bar.

Microsoft will be required to keep competitors informed of the changes and provide the technical details to enable rivals to write programs that minimise the performance impact of Vista's own search index.

Ina Fried writes for CNET News.com