Microsoft has defended Vista against allegations that it perpetuates anticompetitive and monopolistic practices. In this regard, the Redmond juggernaut has also issued an official response to the monopoly claims made by IBM, Nokia, Sun Microsystems, Adobe Systems, Oracle, Corel, RealNetworks, Linspire, Opera and Red Hat before the Eu Antitrust Commission.

Microsoft revealed that the final design of the operating system is the result of the product's adaptation to tailor fit EU requirements. "Following discussions with the European Commission, Microsoft committed to make a number of changes to the Windows Vista operating system prior to release," stated Microsoft.

The Redmond Company emphasized the fact that security, search and document formats are three areas of Vista that have been revamped in order to quell the worries of the Eu Antitrust Commission. Although on home soil Microsoft has experienced no issues related to taking advantage of its monopoly with Windows Vista, the European market is a whole different matter altogether.

Microsoft enumerated the Windows Security Center, the APIs for PatchGuard, the kernel patch protection in 64-bit Vista, the changes introduced to the default settings of Internet Explorer, the submission of the XPS format to the Ecma International, and the removal of the Windows Media Player as the modifications brought to the operating system in order to prepare it for the European market.

Although initially Microsoft failed to comment on the accusations generated in concert with the Vista worldwide launch, the Redmond Company made its official position known after the EU Antitrust Commission announced that it was analyzing the claims brought against the operating system.