While the rights-management system built into the system can be turned off, according to a Microsoft spokesman, doing so limits its functionality. Movies, music and other files with digital protection wouldn't run with rights management disabled.

The situation is a bit like that of Web cookies.

Cookies store information about users in digital files. When they visit a website, cookies verify who users are. Cookies can be turned off, but two things happen: Users are denied entry to some parts of the Web and they must introduce themselves anew to any website that requires a password to log in.

Open-source advocates fear that lawmakers will soon turn this experience into law before consumers realize they can weigh in. A handful of Linux developers are hoping to persuade PC retail outlets that open-source software is a good way to make money.

"Linux is a very good alternative to Microsoft, but retailers aren't just going to put up Linux boxes if they think those are going to collect dust," said Blake Couch, webmaster at WeWantLinux.org. "People think it is hard to install and very difficult to configure, but if they had the opportunity to buy a computer with Linux preloaded, that would negate that argument."