Microsoft Blinks: To offer free virtualisation s/w

Microsoft today said that software developers will no longer need to pay or licence technology it provides to help one computer run multiple operating systems at the same time.

The company said it would provide access to a "virtualisation" format on an open-source basis. The technology makes it easier for users to access programs or look at documents made by non-Microsoft vendors.

Demand from customers, particularly in the government sector, who use open-source servers such as Linux was one of the main reasons for the company to move toward open-source standards, Microsoft spokesman Tom Brookes said.

He said it was not connected to Microsoft's rows with EU regulators over supplying interoperability information to rivals.

Beginning today, the company will no longer ask developers to sign a licence agreement. They are already offered the standard without cost.