Every application that is bundled with Windows runs in user space; they are not actually part of the operating system. The reason Microsoft bundles that stuff

Every application that is bundled with Windows runs in user space; they are not actually part of the operating system. The reason Microsoft bundles that stuff with Windows is because they are trying to undercut their competitors. Why should Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Sony pay the PowerDVD guys for DVD playback software when they could just pay Microsoft for it instead? By bundling it with the operating system, Microsoft can compete on convenience instead of soley on price/features.