Norwegian browser maker Opera ASA said Microsoft's plan to ship its Windows operating system in Europe without its Internet Explorer web browser was not enough to restore competition.

On Thursday the world's top software maker Microsoft, countering pressure from European regulators, said it plans to ship the newest version of Windows in Europe without its Internet Explorer web browser.

"I don't think what Microsoft announced is going to restore competition," Opera's chief technology officer Hakon Wium Lie said.

"I don't think it's going to be enough, I don't think it will get them off the hook," he said.

Microsoft's abrupt reversal comes shortly before the European Commission is due to rule on antitrust charges brought against the company in January, claiming that it abuses its dominant position by bundling its Explorer browser, shielding it from head-to-head competition with rival products.

Until now, Microsoft has claimed that the browser was an integral part of the operating system and should not be pulled out, but it now plans to do that for a European version of Windows 7, due to be rolled out later this year.

The European Commission said a move by Microsoft Corp. to ship the newest version of its Windows system in Europe without Internet Explorer could be detrimental to consumer choice but may have benefits in the computer manufacturer channel.

"The Commission had suggested to Microsoft that consumers be provided with a choice of web browsers," the Commission, which is shortly due to rule on antitrust charges brought against Microsoft, said in a statement.

The Commission, which enforces competition rules in the 27-nation European Union, said it planned to decide shortly on its latest case against the US tech giant.

It has to date fined Microsoft nearly $2 billion for various offenses. The Commission can impose a fine of up to 10 per cent of a company's turnover and other remedies if found to have breached EU rules.

Last month, it slapped a record $1.49 billion fine on the world's biggest chipmaker Intel for anti-competitive practices.