"Microsoft's actions don't deprive anyone of a choice, so they can't be criticised at that level," said Ryan Heath, a spokesman for the European Commission, in a recent email commenting on the dustup over IE10.

IE10 will also ship for Windows 7, but DNT will be handled differently for that edition, Lynch said last week. "Windows 7 customers using IE10 will receive prominent notice that DNT is turned on in their new browser, together with a link providing more information about the setting," he said.

Microsoft has on Windows 7, and also declined to describe in more detail what Windows 7 users will face regarding the privacy feature when they first run the new browser.

Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld. Follow Gregg on Twitter at , on or subscribe to . His email address is .

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