Windows to implement a native PDF reader ?

F-Secure Labs wants Microsoft to develop a PDF reader for their Windows operating system.

F-Secure have posed a new idea to Microsoft: why not integrate a native PDF reader in Windows? This is a suggestion already available in Mac OS X where the user has the option of installing a PDF preview extension.

F-Secure doesn’t demand that Microsoft provides something very fancy, but at least a basic viewer which is capable of opening PDF files. The Finnish editor is rather anti-Adobe, strongly recommending users to look for free alternatives to this software.

Besides being heavy, F-Secure fights for more security while Adobe Reader with its faults is a regular attack method for cyber criminals. Without video playing, JavaScript support and other "elements" which move away from simple PDF reading, F-Secure believes that the Windows user would greatly benefit from an onboard solution. It is actually the functions which are annex to simple PDF reading which are exploited as attack methods.

Is this an idea that Microsoft may explore? It has to be said that even a basic PDF reader designed by Microsoft could lead to some security problems for Windows, or even other issues. If Windows integrated such a program, then they may also have to deal with the European Commission as the inclusion of such an application would have an impact on numerous third party editors. The inclusion of Internet Explorer has already led to the implementation of a ballot screen due to a lack of competition.