The last we heard about Microsoft's intention to enable Do Not Track flags in Internet Explorer 10 by default, the W3C, the authority behind the entire DNT spec, was advising the Redmond company to make it a user option rather than a preset. This was mostly down to the fear that many websites may choose to disregard Do Not Track instructions from a browser that is automatically set to send them out — web content providers are more willing to respect user preferences when a user performs some action to express them. Such has been the W3C's reasoning, however Microsoft's consumer research has corroborated its expectation that most people prefer to have an aggressive set of privacy controls enabled in their browser by default.

Microsoft is today disclosing a little more information about how it will enable Do Not Track in IE10, with a specific view on how it works as you set up your fresh copy of Windows 8. Two setup choices will be provided to users, you'll be able to elect between the automatic Express Settings or Customize your own. If you opt for the former, you'll see "prominent notice" that DNT has been enabled on your computer, while the latter will naturally let you toggle DNT on or off. Additional Learn More and Privacy Statement links will furnish the user with yet more information about the choices presented.

If you're using IE10 in Windows 7, you'll receive a similar notice alerting you to the fact Do Not Track has been enabled. So, although Microsoft isn't adhering to the proper Do Not Track spec by making it optional, it's trying to do the next best thing by making it abundantly clear that the default setting is "on."