The toolbar installation is optional. It might not be nice but I don't see why it should be forbidden from Microsoft's side as that's the point behind these par

The toolbar installation is optional. It might not be nice but I don't see why it should be forbidden from Microsoft's side as that's the point behind these partnership after all (same with Google). Every other product asks you to install their toolbar. The product in this case is downloader and most importantly CNet's traffic.