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I believe this bit about "Internet Explorer is required part of the Windows OS" to be less than accurate, but I do not support anti-trust against Microsoft. They're not a monopoly because they cannot raise their prices forever; people will turn to compeditors. I do believe in caveat emptor. :)

I don't believe that Microsoft is saying that it is technically impossible to remove IE from Windows; Rather, they're saying that it would be practically impossible within a reasonable timeframe and cost. In other words, it wouldn't be worth selling the product given the costs of undertaking the necessary effort to remove the browser.

I don't believe that Microsoft is saying that it is technically impossible to remove IE from Windows; Rather, they're saying that it would be practically impossible within a reasonable timeframe and cost.

The core of the problem is that IE5SETUP is used to install/uninstall EVERYTHING on the Win2k - WinXP desktops. In order to totally eliminate IE from Windows, Microsoft is looking at a major re-design of it's install/uninstall routines and the new smart install/windows file protection schema built into it's Win2K Adv. Server and .NET Services.

Therein lies the problem, methinks. The browser itself is just window-dressing to the larger issue, IMO.