We're Listening!

HotCakeX Yes as it was a part of the OS.

Then, in 2009, the EU stipulated that this wasn't allowed anymore and MS had to offer a choice.

Not doing so resulted in a fine of 730 million dollars (2013).

Way back in 2004 MS was already fined for close to 500 million, because of the integrated Windows Media Player

On top they were fined for 1.35 billion for using high prices (2008)

Yes, the EU likes fines, so it seems.

Personally I had no problems with the integrated IE and/or Media Player. They seamlessly worked together. If users nonetheless wished to use another browser, fine, go ahead and install Firefox, Chrome or whatever. I used Firefox, tweaking settings and so on.

However, for newbies or elderly people or the ones that simply aren't interested in 3rd party software, well, the built in stuff usually was okay.

Until the EU felt it wasn't okay...

Ah well, anyway ... just my 2cts