Let's not forget how we got here. In the mid-1990s the OEMs were up in arms about how Microsoft was trying to control the Windows user experience; the OEMs said

Let's not forget how we got here. In the mid-1990s the OEMs were up in arms about how Microsoft was trying to control the Windows user experience; the OEMs said it was their customer and they would install any damn thing they wanted before delivery, thankyouverymuch. The DOJ's 1994 consent decree with Microsoft [1] said "Microsoft shall not enter into any License Agreement in which the terms of that agreement are expressly or impliedly conditioned upon ... the OEM not licensing, purchasing, using or distributing any non-Microsoft product." It reinforced that Microsoft could sell Windows to OEMs but not dictate what else went into the box. And thus began the crapware nightmare. It was all well intentioned, but it prevented Microsoft from taking an Apple-like role of "benevolent dictator" to keep the OS coherent. So instead, Microsoft is relegated to the role of curmudgeonly custodian, only able to arrive and do something after the mess is made. A Groundskeeper Willie if you will. [1] http://www.justice.gov/atr/cases/f0000/0047.htm http://www.justice.gov/atr/cases/f0000/0047.htm