The problem with decoupling IE is that it really isn't decoupled. Outlook and Explorer are both intertwined with the functionality as is the desktop and menus. Uninstalling IE on any windows OS since Win95 would render the GUI almost inoperable.
That one got me. I am so illiterate with this stuff and I thought I had to have Safari. I was in the middle of downloading it when my son happened to call and told me,"No". Good thing he knew how to get it off my computer.
I hate being the perfect target dope that falls for things like Safari. :(
You said — “Uninstalling IE on any windows OS since Win95 would render the GUI almost inoperable.”
From my point of view, that sounds like a good idea... LOL..
That's true. They can't "delete" it. You can open up "My Computer" to look at your files, and type an internet address at the top instead.
In an American anti-trust case about this a few years back, a judge ordered MS to delete IE even though MS explained to him what would happen. So they did it, and produced an inoperable computer. The judge got pissed. Lawyers.
That's the point. By MS making Explorer intertwined with the MSOS, they give Explorer a monopolistic competitive advantage among browsers. You can use Firefox or something, but you can't NOT use Explorer. So, most Mom and Pops won't bother with Firefox.