Microsoft's decision to allow PC manufacturers to unbundle software from new PCs is just a ploy to take the legal heat off it.

Dan Kusnetzky, vice president of systems software research at IDC, told vnunet.com's sister publication Computeractive that it will make no difference to consumers and is merely designed to put the company in a better light with the ongoing court actions it faces.

"The battle for browser dominance is effectively over. Internet Explorer is the one most commonly used and 90 per cent of all PCs sold use Windows operating systems. This move is just window dressing," he said.

In theory, manufacturers will now be able to remove Microsoft's internet browser from the desktop and replace it with icons for software and services of their choosing, including ones that compete with Microsoft.

Until now, Microsoft had said that its Windows XP operating system, which will be launched in October, would not give PC makers that freedom.