The U.S. government has given its thumbs-up to Microsoft"s search box plans for Vista, shrugging off concerns raised recently by Google.
While criticizing Microsoft for its implementation of its existing antitrust accord, regulators appear satisfied with the software maker"s plans for Windows Vista, including a new search box that is part of Internet Explorer 7.
As part of its status report on Microsoft"s antitrust compliance, the Justice Department said that it had reviewed the search box and concluded that Microsoft"s implementation "respects users" and (computer makers") default choices and is easily changed." Google had recently cried foul over the box, which is set to conduct Web searches from a specified engine, while Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer this week defended Microsoft"s approach.