Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer has told the company's users that it took anti-competitive actions because it failed to realise how dominant it was.

In an open email sent to Microsoft users, Ballmer claims that "even five years ago, we still tended to think of ourselves as the small start-up".

The revelation may come as a surprise to many. Back in 1997, Microsoft was gearing itself for the launch of Windows 98. It was also basking in the success of Windows 95, which The New York Times heralded as a "computer-age milestone".

Presumably Microsoft was too busy trying to establish itself to read the papers.

But Ballmer had soothing words for those with doubts that Microsoft's attempts to destroy its competition were simply the actions of an outsized start-up.

The "New Microsoft" is "committed to being a great partner and a responsible industry leader," he said.