(Telecompaper) Microsoft has received a EUR 561 million fine from the European Commission for failure to implement an agreement to offer a choice of web browsers with its Windows operating system. The EC warned Microsoft last year already that it was considering a fine for not implementing the agreement from 2009. Microsoft acknowledged in July 2012 that the choice screen was not displayed due to a technical error. The commitment to offer a choice of browser was made legally binding on Microsoft until 2014, after it was found to be abusing its dominant market position by making Internet Explorer the default browser with Windows. The latest fine applies to the lack of browser choice with Windows 7 Service Pack 1 from May 2011 until July 2012, the result of which was that 15 million Windows users in the EU did not see the required choice screen, the EC said. This is the first time that the commission has fined a company for non-compliance with a commitments decision. In the calculation of the fine the EC said it took into account the gravity and duration of the infringement, the need to ensure a deterrent effect of the fine and, as a mitigating circumstance, the fact that Microsoft has cooperated with the commission's investigation.