"Microsoft vigorously opposed such a remedy, which was eloquent testimony to its effectiveness," Vinje said via e-mail late Friday.

He described Microsoft's decision to accept the ballot screen idea as a "capitulation in the face of near-certain defeat before the Commission."

One industry source closer to Microsoft believes the software giant has lost its will to fight in its long-running antitrust battle in Europe.

"They don't have the appetite to fight anymore. Now their aim is to settle up and make sure that other technology firms, like Google and IBM, are held to the same antitrust standards," said a person familiar with Microsoft's thinking who asked not to be named.