5 Reasons EU plan to cut IE from windows will fail

Recently, the European Union (EU) has decided to take serious legal action against Microsoft, by claiming their Internet Explorer (IE) should not be bundled with Windows, because it is anti competitive and is taking advantage of Microsoft's immense market power. They want Microsoft to stop immediately, and change their marketing tactics so that Internet Explorer will no longer be bundled with future releases of Windows. They have not made any statements concerning whether Windows can come with different versions with and without IE.
Now, it may sound fine, but this logic is seriously flawed. There are too many reasons why Internet Explorer is essential to the Windows OS, and taking it off will not help consumers at all. Here's a list of reasons for why this plan must and surely will fail.

1. Internet Explorer is a part of OS
Unlike many other programs, Internet Explorer is not just any other program, but rather a part of the windows environment and operating systems. There are a variety of functions in Windows that are based on Internet Explorer, and cannot be done with Internet Explorer or another browser, and even sometimes, only Internet Explorer will suffice. Windows uses Internet Explorer to read .xml files, to set up configurations settings for various functions, to set up router settings, and much more. If we take out Internet Explorer, we are taking out a vital aspect of Windows.

2. All browsers need to be downloaded
Internet Explorer comes with Windows for one main reasons: to let users use the Internet quickly, and without hassle. Now, where do we get new browsers? Obviously, the INTERNET! And how are we supposed to get these browsers if we don't have one to begin with? There are some methods, including possibly ftp and other protocols available with command prompt, etc, but will NORMAL users be able to do this? The answer is no. They rely on the simplicity of web browsers to get around, and they probably can't get a new browser, without using Internet Explorer to download one! Thus, we have a computer that is cut off from the Internet, unless we hire somebody or ask somebody else to use sophisticated methods of downloading software.

3. Users want simplicity
For most users, the hassle of getting a new browser is far too great, and that is exactly why IE holds so much market share. The fact is, people don't want to download new browsers because there's too much hassle! Everybody just wants to get on the Internet, and be done. They don't care how bad Internet Explorer is, as long as it gets them to where they want. This is precisely why taking off Internet Explorer is not helping the consumer, and in fact causing a vareity of problems in accord with problem 2.

4. If Internet Explorer can be cut off from windows, then so should the browsers from other Operating Systems right?
Well if it really were this case, why don't the EU chase after every company or operating system? All they want, is to take off and unbundle Internet Explorer from Windows because the EU is a big Microsoft hate group. All the operatings systems around come with a browser, because it's the only natural thing to do. Most people use the computer because they want to access the Internet, so we shouldn't be impeding their desires. Of course, a computer can do many things without the Internet, but our world revolves around the Internet! Most average consumers even use the computer solely for that purpose! Thus, the EU can't strip every Operating system of their browsers, and they shouldn't strip Windows of IE.

5. Without programs like IE, Operating systems could end up with nothing left
If they can really take off IE, then in theory, they should take off every program every OS comes with. What's left of that? Maybe the recycling bin, control panel, and basic system features such as the registry. Perhaps not even that. Registry editor is a program by windows too no? So is recycling bin and all the tools in control panel. Why don't we get rid of those? Then whats left? It's very simple actually. By removing every software except the OS, what we have left is the command prompt, if you can really call it an "operating system". Here's an idea, how about Microsoft lose this case on purpose, then make a version of windows called Windows 7 Command Prompt Basic, and include nothing but command prompt in that version? I'd like to see how the world and the European Union would react. I doubt the anyone will buy this version, and even complain about it to Microsoft or the EU. Then Microsoft will just issue a statement saying they are trying to abide by the EU's laws, and making a version of Windows with just the core. In fact, this will barely affect Microsoft if they did this anyway, because people will only buy the "premium" version.

Conclusion
The EU has absolutely no grounds to be complaining about Microsoft's marketing tactics, because it's not really marketing, it's just putting a piece of software where it belongs. Internet Explorer isn't being bundled WITH Windows, it is a PART of windows. The EU cannot do anything to Microsoft, and even if they did, they would have no public backing at all. There is no way this case will go through, and I'm surprised such a ridiculous notion has even been proposed. It goes to show what Microsoft hates will do.

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