Europe to get new Windows

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. will immediately ship a version of Windows stripped of the company's multimedia player in Europe and divulge some software blueprints, even as it continues to appeal those same European Union sanctions.

The software giant said Monday that it will not appeal an interim court ruling, reached in December, that ordered the company to immediately comply with a March EU antitrust decision.

Microsoft's decision not to appeal the interim ruling was expected, though being forced to change company business practices is a short-term blow.

Matt Rosoff, of the independent research firm Directions on Microsoft, said company lawyers likely thought it best to focus on the more important, broader appeal.

The antitrust order could set a lasting precedent for government intervention in deciding what features Microsoft can add to its flagship Windows operating system.

The company has argued that its freedom to decide what goes into Windows is key to its future success, and analysts expect Microsoft to vigorously fight efforts to curb that freedom.

"When it comes to having a government body dictate what they can and can't add to their most important product, I don't think they're going to back down on that," Mr. Rosoff said.

Microsoft said the first versions of its Windows without Media Player will hit EU retailers in the coming weeks and will cost the same as the full version. The diminished version will only be available in the 25-nation bloc.

The company also said it had already launched a Web site to provide competing server software makers with information on how they can license source code to enable their products to better communicate with Windows-powered desktops.