Microsoft Corporation, bowing to pressure from Eastman Kodak, has changed its Windows XP software to facilitate a wider choice of digital photo providers, Kodak said yesterday.

Kodak had complained that the Windows XP operating system, due for release in October unfairly favoured Microsoft partners.

In response, Microsoft notified Kodak it would change Windows XP to display a full list of digital camera choices, including third-party providers, instead of a drop-down menu, Kodak said in a statement.

The software giant founded by billionaire Bill Gates promised to identify clearly the scanner and camera set-up programs on Windows XP as Microsoft programs, Kodak added.

Microsoft was also working with Kodak to ensure that digital camera manufacturers' programs can work via the standard Windows program or with a special driver.

"The changes made to Windows XP are a positive move," Kodak vice president Phil Gerskovich said in the statement.

Microsoft also asked an appeals court hearing the anti-trust case to await the Supreme Court ruling before sending the matter to the district court to decide on remedies.

But the Justice Department vehemently opposed the requested delay on Friday, saying Microsoft's violations of anti-trust law remained unremedied.