WASHINGTON — A group of six states and Washington, D.C., yesterday asked a judge to extend the terms of Microsoft's antitrust settlement through 2012.

Most of the provisions are set to expire in November.

"Microsoft continues to have a stranglehold on the two products, Windows and (Internet Explorer), that almost all consumers use for accessing these Web services and applications," Stephen Houck, a lawyer for the California Group representing the states, told a federal judge.

The group requested the extension to maintain oversight over Microsoft, particularly over its new operating system, Windows Vista.