IE is the basis for all Windows and it is used in Windows Explorer.

Agreed…I just don’t like IE8 because it is overloaded with lots of junk that don’t work properly, it is heavy, very slow, and just too many un needed options that I don’t want to see or use…IE7 has more of the basic features, and It is a little faster and came on my Recovery CD originally…Basically use it so that the windows programs are kept original and work with default settings…Also have it set in “options”> “Privacy” to Block 3rd party cookies, and “prompt” first party, that way I only “allow” cookies for updates of my software programs and if anything else tries to update or start… it prompts me, that way I can see what it is, Other than that. I use Opera 100% …I have used Firefox for about 2yrs before the Opera browser I did like its addons but it loaded my computer with crash reports from a few years…It does crash a little too much…Anyways I find that Opera is smaller light weight doesn’t crash at all…not yet anyways, and in the “Menu” has simple basic settings and preferences…
Windows Defender in my opinion doesn’t do nothing but complicate things…the fast scan is pretty fast but useless…the full scan can takes over an hour…I also prefer not to deal with Microsoft or as little as possible…I don’t even like the monthly updates, let alone having to update weekly or daily with Microsoft…Also I know when the monthly updates come there is a possible chance of an adware or spyware or something else sliding in along with the update or something not working properly after that update or fix…Just my opinion if anyone cares