Recently it was it formed by the European Commission that European competition law has been violated by Microsoft by including Internet Explorer with Windows.  

It was also informed by the Commission that since Windows includes Microsoft's own browser; the other browsers are prevented from competing with IE.

It should also be noted here that under the European law, IE’s inclusion is not made by the remedies put in place under the US government's landmark 2002 antitrust settlement with Windows lawful.

Microsoft had agreed to separate IE from Windows and permit users to de-select IE as their chosen browser under that ruling.  

The company received this ruling in a Statement of Objections from the Directorate General for Competition of the European Commission, which was issued following browser specialist Opera’s complaint with the Commission a year ago.

It was supposedly complained by Opera that Microsoft continued to abuse its leading position by tying its browser to Windows and by not following web protocols.

As of now a time period of two months has been given to Microsoft in which it has to issue a written response to the directorate general and can request a hearing.

“The company is studying the statement of objections and is committed to conducting its business in full compliance with European law,” said the company via a statement. IE with Windows has been included by Microsoft since 1996.