Probably not. If you, as an outsider you see that Microsoft is sold as a bundle of software.

• The kernel
• The GUI
• Firewall
• Media Player
• Browser
• …

The major difference between this setup, and one from Linux. Linux is A LOT more modular. For example if you take a look at Windows’ Help (just press F1 when you are on your desktop.).

It actually IS an Internet Explorer window, with customized properties.

So you can’t just remove Internet Explorer’s engine (Trident) and replace it with Firefox, since Internet Explorer is a lot more versatile, it’s not just a browser to display internet pages, a lot more components in windows depend on that engine to display text and pictures!

It’s not that easy to replace that component, because Firefox does not accept that API.

So I think that the EU should first decide what they want: do they want the icon to be removed, or the whole engine.

If it is the second answer they should force Microsoft to create an API, where other components can plug into so they can have their replacement for the Trident engine.

But they need to do a lot more research before they start screaming that IE has to be removed from Windows.

Or maybe just badly programmed…

I’ve had this experience with multiple hobby programmed uninstallers, they would leave a folder behind. Sure no problem, I’ve got it for free, they can’t help it. You file a bug report and hope they fix it in the next release.

But when we talk about Apple, things are different. Apple is a respected company.

Yesterday I tried installing Quicktime to play my mp4 files. I downloaded the installer from the Apple.com website, and installed it. No problem.

But since the movies were damaged I decided that Quicktime was useless, and so I removed it. Or so I thought…

After inspecting my system multiple Apple related folders where still there. And even Apple Software Updater. I chose to remove Quicktime (the only thing I installed!). Then why must it not remove this application? Because it’s Apple? (that’s what they think probably…).

So you might want to watch out with uninstalling programs, they always leave stuff behind. Even with the most respected companies. Maybe they don’t deserve that…