After seeing that the strategy worked fine for Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer, Microsoft has decided to repeat it now with Windows AntiSpyware. Therefore, the next version of the popular operating system, Windows Vista, will incorporate the Redmond company's own anti-spyware solution.

This strategy might confirm Symantec and other companies' fears, who predicted that the software giant will use the Windows monopoly to promote its products.

In Microsoft's opinion, the reasons which justify this decision are related to the safety of the computing environment. End-users and small companies would be in this way protected against the malware plaguing the Internet, the company thinks.

In addition, due to the fact that Windows Vista will offer users the possibility to choose what anti-spyware, e-mail client or media player to use, Microsoft considers that it doesn't break any rule.

It's likely that Windows fans will be thrilled by the new feature, but Microsoft's arguments are similar to those employed when the company imposed Internet Explorer. Anyway, it's obvious that if the Redmond company attempts the same strategy with the other security products, Microsoft should get ready for lawsuits which will make the one regarding the removal of Media Player from Windows XP look like a joke.