The long-running feud between tech giants Microsoft and Google has finally been settled.

They have agreed to drop all regulatory complaints filed against each other, vowing to thrash out their concerns without involving authorities in future.

It comes after an agreement last year to end all patent infringement litigation against each other.

A Google spokesman said: "Our companies compete vigorously, but we want to do so on the merits of our products, not in legal proceedings.

"As a result, following our patent agreement, we've now agreed to withdraw regulatory complaints against one another."

Microsoft said the move reflected "changing legal priorities" but insisted the companies continue "competing vigorously."

The accord came just days after the European Union opened a new anti-trust battle with Google.

It has charged the search giant with abusing the dominance of its Android mobile phone operating system.

Margrethe Vestager, the European commissioner for competition, says she believes that "Google has abused its dominant position."

The companies say the truce is unrelated to the European development.

Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella has recently made a series of collaborative moves with rivals - including making versions of its Office suite of programs available on Apple devices.

(Sky News)