"It has been a constructive three days and our dialogue with others in the industry has been particularly helpful," it said in a statement after the end of the hearings, hosted by the European Commission in Brussels.

"In some areas we have identified opportunities to narrow the differences between us," it said, adding that as a market leader it had a responsibility to consumers, the industry and the commission "to work things out."

"With this in mind, Microsoft came to Brussels with the intention of making progress in this case, and feels that the past three days represents a positive step towards a meaninful solution."

Microsoft could be fined over three billion dollars (2.5 billion euros) and have to make substantial changes to how it markets its all-conquering Windows operating system if found guilty of using its dominance to crush rivals.

The software titan is accused of abusing the dominance of Windows -- which is installed in 90 percent of all personal computers (PCs) -- to fend off competing applications.

The EU hearings revolve around charges that Microsoft has tried to squelch rival products to its Windows Media Player, such as RealPlayer and Apple QuickTime.

SPACE.WIRE