Confirmation from Microsoft. You WILL be able to remove IE 8 and other components

It is now officially confirmed. In the next version of Windows that will be released ( Windows 7) the end user will be given the ability to remove certain components that, up til now, have been permanent parts of the Windows OS.

The list includes the following:

1. Windows Media Player
2. Windows Media Center
3. Windows DVD Maker
4. Internet Explorer 8
5. Windows Search

Since many of us install other programs we prefer to use over those listed above, it's nice to finally be able to get rid of them without problems.

More details and the full nitty-gritty is available here.