Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Opera has accused Microsoft of using Windows to advantage its own browsers over rivals—but the accusations concern two separate cases, in different jurisdictions, nearly two decades apart. The European Union complaint focused on Internet Explorer and Windows; a 2025 complaint in Brazil targets Edge’s prominence and how Windows reaches PC makers and users. The European Commission’s 2009 action was preliminary, and the available reporting on Brazil establishes an investigation, not a finding that Microsoft broke the law.
Did Microsoft bundle Internet Explorer with Windows?
Opera said it did. On December 13, 2007, the browser company announced that it had complained to the European Commission, alleging Microsoft tied Internet Explorer to Windows and failed to follow accepted web standards. Those were Opera’s claims, not findings established by the complaint itself. Opera’s 2007 announcement set out the allegations.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The concern was that Windows’ distribution could give Internet Explorer an advantage over competing browsers. Opera also argued that the standards issue mattered because websites built to work across browsers could instead work differently or poorly. The complaint asked European authorities to address the alleged conduct; it did not itself prove that Microsoft had violated competition law.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11What did the European Commission decide in 2009?
In January 2009, the Commission issued a Statement of Objections concerning Internet Explorer and Windows. That document expressed the Commission’s preliminary view; it was not a final ruling that Microsoft had infringed the law. Opera’s contemporaneous account described the Commission’s preliminary position as an accusation of illegal tying.
#1 Best Overall
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
Microsoft emphasized the procedural distinction in its response: “the European Commission will not make a final determination until after it receives and assesses Microsoft’s response and conducts the hearing, should Microsoft request one.” That was Microsoft describing the stage of the proceeding, not a statement from the Commission. The Commission’s January 2009 announcement and Microsoft’s response document the exchange.
What happened after Opera complained?
Opera’s retrospective says that in December 2009 the Commission accepted Microsoft’s commitment to provide a browser choice screen and closed the investigation. That was the reported procedural outcome and remedy; it was not a court judgment on Opera’s complaint. Opera’s later account describes the commitment and closure.
Rank #2
- With 16 GB of memory, runs as many programs as you want without losing the execution
- The 13.5" 2256 x 1504 screen provides a great movie watching experience
- 512 GB SSD is enough to store your essential documents and files, favorite songs, movies and pictures
- 8 Hours battery run time helps you stay unwired and work longer non-stop
What did Opera accuse Microsoft of doing to promote Edge?
In July 2025, Opera announced a separate complaint to Brazil’s competition authority, CADE. Opera alleged that Windows made Edge the exclusively pre-installed and default browser on devices, that Microsoft incentivized major PC manufacturers, and that its practices confused users or made rival browsers more difficult to access. These descriptions are Opera’s allegations, not established facts or a regulator’s legal conclusion. Opera’s complaint announcement outlines them.
Recommended Free Tools
What is the Jumpstart program?
A February 2026 report by PC Gamer said CADE had opened an investigation after Opera’s complaint and was examining Microsoft’s Jumpstart program. Opera and the Browser Choice Alliance allege that Jumpstart pushes manufacturers toward preinstalling Edge. Opera General Counsel Aaron McParlan characterized the broader dispute by saying, “Microsoft thwarts browser competition on Windows at every turn.” That is an interested party’s view, not CADE’s finding. PC Gamer’s February 2026 report describes the reported investigation and the allegation about Jumpstart.
Rank #3
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 13.8" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 20 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 20 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- THE PORTS YOU NEED — Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
An opened investigation means the authority is examining the matter; it does not establish liability. The cited reporting does not establish the case’s later status or outcome through October 4, 2026, and it provides no CADE finding that Microsoft infringed competition law.
Are the European and Brazilian complaints the same case?
No. They concern different browsers, conduct, authorities and procedural stages.
Rank #4
- A PREMIUM PERFORMANCE LAPTOP — Ready for work, school, and creativity. Built for busy days, big projects, and nonstop multitasking. Run video calls, school and work apps, 20+ browser tabs, and AI tools at the same time without slowing down.
- WITH AI BUILT IN — With a dedicated AI chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite), this Copilot+ PC[5] on Windows 11 helps you work smarter and faster. Prompt, create, and automate with ease - ready for even your most demanding tasks.
- A 15" TOUCHSCREEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY USE — Sharp colors, real detail, smooth 120Hz scrolling on the PixelSense touchscreen[1] with LCD display[2]. Tap, scroll, or pinch to zoom - whichever feels right for streaming, editing photos, or daily work.
- 19 HOURS OF BATTERY (LEAVE THE CHARGER) — Up to 19 hours of video playback[3] on a single charge. Work from a coffee shop, take it to class/work, or binge an entire season on a long flight — it'll keep up.
- Two USB-C / USB4[4] ports and a microSD card reader for fast charging, big file transfers, or hooking up to three 4K monitors when you want a full desktop. Wi-Fi 7 keeps you online and fast wherever you are.
| Issue | European Union | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Browser and period | Internet Explorer; complaint announced in December 2007 | Edge; complaint announced in July 2025 |
| Alleged conduct | Opera alleged that Internet Explorer was tied to Windows and that Microsoft failed to follow accepted web standards | Opera alleged that Windows defaults and distribution favored Edge and made alternatives harder to choose or use; the complaint also raised manufacturer incentives |
| Authority and known procedural stage | European Commission issued a preliminary Statement of Objections in January 2009; Opera says the investigation closed after a browser-choice commitment in December 2009 | CADE was reported to have opened an investigation by February 2026; the cited source establishes no final finding |
The EU episode reached a reported commitment and closure after a preliminary Commission position. The Brazil episode, as established by the cited reporting, had reached an investigation stage. Treating one as the outcome of the other would confuse two separate proceedings.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
How does the separate 2026 EU Edge case fit in?
Opera Norway v Commission concerns the European Commission’s decision not to designate Edge as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It is a distinct legal track from Opera’s 2007 Internet Explorer complaint and its 2025 complaint to CADE. It should not be treated as a continuation of either case or as evidence of the outcome of the Brazilian investigation. The court document concerns the DMA gatekeeper designation dispute.
Best Value
- Brilliant Display – Stunning 13.8" PixelSense touchscreen[1], with brilliant LCD display[2], unleashes luminous whites, deeper blacks and colors so richly saturated bringing vivid life into every frame – perfect for work, school, streaming and creative tasks.
- Power that lasts all day – With 20 hours of battery life[3], the new Surface Laptop powers through your entire day, so you can create, work and stream from morning to night without reaching for a charger.
- Work at the speed of your ideas – Built with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) processors, Surface Laptop delivers fast, AI‑accelerated performance—making it the most powerful Surface laptop for everything from multitasking to demanding workloads.
- The ports you need – Charge on-the-go, transfer data fast, or create the ultimate desktop set up with two USB-C / USB4[4] ports.
- Built-in AI Companion – Work smarter, create freely, and communicate with confidence—Copilot[5] on Windows 11 is always there to help.
Why is the older U.S. browser case relevant?
The U.S. government’s 1998 proposed findings in United States v. Microsoft provide background to the longer history of disputes over browser competition and Windows. They describe the government’s account of Microsoft’s efforts to blunt what it saw as a browser threat to its operating-system position. That history helps explain why later browser complaints drew attention, but it is not proof of Opera’s allegations in Europe or Brazil. The Department of Justice’s proposed findings are a historical source, not a ruling on either Opera complaint.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
