In the $2001$ case, Microsoft v$.$ United States, a federal appellate court ruled that Microsoft had abused its monopoly position in the PC operating system market by packaging its Windows operating system with its Internet Explorer web browser software. The plaintiffs demonstrated in court that Microsoft had configured Windows in such a way that it was difficult for the user to install a competing browser such as Netscape Navigator. What was Microsoft likely trying to achieve by bundling Internet Explorer with the Windows operating system?

Group of answer choices

an improvement in the efficiency of Windows

a cost advantage over competing operating systems such as macros

a decrease in costs to consumers

an increase in switching costs