MSN Portal Blocks Alternative Browsers

Microsoft Corp.’s premier Web portal, MSN.com, denied entry to millions of people who use alternative browser software such as Opera and told them to get Microsoft’s products instead.

The decision led to complaints from the small but loyal Opera community that Microsoft was abusing its status as the Internet’s browser leader.

Microsoft later backed off and said it would support the other browsers.

Browser products affected included Opera, Mozilla and Amaya, said Kevin Reichard, editorial manager for Internet.com’s BrowserWatch site.

Opera is the Internet’s No. 3 browser software, with more than 2million active users. It uses less memory and less disk space than Microsoft’s and Netscape’s browsers.

Microsoft closed down 36 cents to $62.20 on Nasdaq.