In Europe, MS considered adding a ballot-style browser chooser to the Windows install, but dropped their plans due to complaints from manufacturers (according to wikipedia).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Explorer

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After having fought and won the browser wars of the late 1990s, Internet Explorer gained almost total dominance of the browser market. Having attained a peak of about 95% during 2002 and 2003, its market share has since declined at a slow but steady pace. This is mainly due to the adoption of Mozilla Firefox, which statistics indicate is currently the most significant competition. Nevertheless, Internet Explorer remains the dominant web browser, with a global usage share of around 60% (though measurements vary). Usage is higher in Asia and lower in Europe.

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New Internet Explorer hole exploited in attacks on U.S. firms
Main article: Operation Aurora

In an advisory on January 14, 2010, Microsoft said that attackers targeting Google and other U.S. companies used software that exploits a hole in Internet Explorer. The vulnerability affects Internet Explorer 6, IE 7, and IE 8 on Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP, Server 2003, and Server 2008 R2, as well as IE 6 Service Pack 1 on Windows 2000 Service Pack 4.[67]

The German government warned users against using Internet Explorer and recommended switching to an alternative web browser, due to the major security hole described above that was exploited in Internet Explorer.[68] The Australian and French Government issued a similar warning a few days later.[69][70] The first browser they recommended was Mozilla Firefox, followed by Google Chrome.[71][72]

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