Well, with SP1, thankfully you can HIDE all of Microsofts middleware, including IE, OE, WMP and Messenger. IT CAN BE HIDDEN AND PERMENETLY TURNED OFF. HOWEVER, it still does not remove it, and if you want the hard drive space, just delete the folder (all of 5 or 6 megs).
Still, for Linux users, Win 2000 is much better than XP. XP is built for HOME users, thus the new interface (which I like, I use the silver one), and all the wizzards.