Microsoft has delivered a broadside to one of its rivals just before closing arguments in its antitrust case in the US.
The company is to stop supporting Sun Microsystems' flagship product by 2004.
Microsoft cited Sun's opposition in the case as the reason for removing support for the Java language from future versions of Windows.
In a statement, Microsoft spokesman Mr Jim Cullinan said: "The decision to remove Microsoft's Java implementation was made because of Sun's strategy of using the legal system to compete with Microsoft."
Microsoft has been found by a federal appeals court to have used illegal means to stamp out competition.
The US Justice Department reached a settlement with Microsoft last year, but nine states are still seeking stronger antitrust penalties.
Several witnesses appearing in the states' case against Microsoft, including executives of computer maker Gateway, accused the company of retaliating against companies that refused Microsoft edicts or helped the government build its antitrust case.
In an interview, Microsoft General Counsel Mr William Neukom declined to comment on the Java announcement or allegations of retaliation.
Current versions of Windows XP do not include Java, though users can download it if they need to run programs written in the language.
Microsoft did say it would temporarily restore support for Java in the upcoming update to Windows XP.
PA