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<img alt="Gateswillcrushyou" title="Gateswillcrushyou" src="http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/06/11/gateswillcrushyou.jpg" border="0" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px;" />Microsoft has reached an agreement with the Justice Department and agree to alter Windows Vista to allow users to change their desktop search program. The changes come in [response to the confidential complaint][1] filed by Google earlier this year alleging that Microsoft's built-in desktop search mechanism violated the company's anti-trust settlement.
Under the new agreement with the Justice Department (as well 17 state attorneys general), Microsoft will alter Vista to provide users with an option to select a default desktop search program, which will allow competitors like Google's Desktop Search program equal access to the OS.
Google's complaint alleged that while users can install Google Desktop, there is currently no way to turn off Microsoft's version and any third party app thus eats into system resources and gives the impression that it is slowing down the system.
By allowing users to turn off Microsoft's Instant Search, the performance hit for third party apps should disappear.
As part of the deal, Microsoft says it will place links in both IE and the main Vista "Start" menu to make it easier for users to set the default desktop search service.
Also in the PDF released yesterday by Microsoft is yet another mention of Vista SP1 (which will incorporate the changes). The document says a Vista SP1 beta will be ready by the end of the year, though no specific date is mentioned.
[1]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/06/google_accuses_.html "Google Accuses Microsoft Of Antitrust Violations"
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