Microsoft's forthcoming Windows Vista operating system will create 50,000 new jobs in Europe, a study by IDC has claimed. 

The Microsoft-commissioned research predicts that Vista sales will top €32bn across Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the UK.

IDC estimated that more than 30 million computer users will switch to Vista in the first 12 months.

"Based on standard software and services industry ratios for spending on product development, marketing and training, Microsoft's partners will be investing over €4.8bn between now and the end of 2007 in readying their products and services," said IDC analyst Marcel Warmerdam.

The study is being viewed by many as an attempt to increase support for Microsoft as the firm continues to clash with the EU over the bundling of its security software with Vista.

"Microsoft is looking for any possible advantage to ensure that it can ship Windows Vista," Joe Wilcox, a senior analyst at Jupiter Research, told vnunet.com. 

"One tactic is that Microsoft scolded the EU and said: 'Don't keep security enhancements away from people.' Now they're saying: 'We're going to create lots of jobs with this thing.'"

But the strategy may lead to a backlash from weary consumers, according to the analyst.

"Microsoft is essentially sending out the message that if you use Windows Vista you will need to hire more people," said Wilcox.

"But improvements in the operating system should decrease the need for IT staff. In the long run, it is not the best message to send."