Microsoft has succumbed to pressure from competition authorities to make it easier for Vista users to override its built-in desktop search tool.

Search rival Google had alleged Microsoft's Vista operating system disadvantages other search software by making it difficult for users to use non-Microsoft desktop-search software.

Google claimed in a white paper sent to both the Department of Justice and the US attorneys general that Microsoft's desktop search tool is almost impossible to turn off and affects a computer's performance when running a non-Microsoft search tool.
According to the report Microsoft denied the accusations and claimed although it is not straightforward, its search tool can be turned off and does not interfere with performance of any alternative software.

Google’s chief legal officer David Drummond says Microsoft's current approach to Vista desktop search clearly violates the consent decree and limits consumer choice.

‘We are pleased that as a result of Google's request that the consent decree be enforced, the Department of Justice and state Attorneys General have required Microsoft to make changes to Vista,’ said Drummond.

‘These remedies are a step in the right direction, but they should be improved further to give consumers greater access to alternate desktop search providers,’ he said.