THE US JUSTICE Department has asked a federal court judge to let it look under the bonnet of Longhorn to make sure it complies with its antitrust settlement with Microsoft.

DoJ laywer Renata Hesse said that by looking at Longhorn early its development it was possible to change it rather than wait until it hit the shops when it was more difficult.

The settlement gives computer makers to ability to mask the presence of some Microsoft applications in Windows if they want to use different programs.

Hesse says she just wants to make sure that this is followed in Longhorn. A Microsoft spokesman said that the company is committed to following the anti-trust agreement in its Longhorn project. \ufffd