Windows xP Set Program Access and Defaults problems setting alternateas defaults

[Mark]

In the Windows xP Set Program Access and Defaults settings I use the
Custom settings. I have also installed Sun Java 1.4.2 from the Java
web site (http://www.java.com/en/download/windows_manual.jsp). When
I go through to set the following settings:

Choose a default Web browser:
( ) Use my current Web browser
( ) Internet Explorer [x] Enable access to this program
(*) Mozilla [x] Enable access to this program

Choose a default e-mail program:
( ) Use my current e-mail program
(*) Mozilla Mail [x] Enable access to this program
( ) Outlook Express [ ] Enable access to this program

Choose a default media player:
( ) Use my current media player
(*) QuickTime Player [x] Enable access to this program
( ) Windows Media Player [ ] Enable access to this program

Choose a default instant messaging program:
(*) Use my current instant messaging program
( ) Windows Messenger [ ] Enable access to this program

Choose a default virtual machine for Java:
(*) Use my current instant messaging program

I notice that Sun Java is not available to select for the 'default
virtual machine for Java'. After the Set Program Access and
Defaults updates in Windows XP Professional sP1a and I return to
the Set Program Access and Defaults settings, the following
settings are shown:

Choose a default Web browser:
(*) Use my current Web browser
( ) Internet Explorer [x] Enable access to this program
( ) Mozilla [x] Enable access to this program

Choose a default e-mail program:
(*) Use my current e-mail program
( ) Mozilla Mail [x] Enable access to this program
( ) Outlook Express [ ] Enable access to this program

Choose a default media player:
(*) Use my current media player
( ) QuickTime Player [x] Enable access to this program
( ) Windows Media Player [x] Enable access to this program

Choose a default instant messaging program:
(*) Use my current instant messaging program
( ) Windows Messenger [ ] Enable access to this program

Choose a default virtual machine for Java:
(*) Use my current instant messaging program

Why are the custom settings in the Set Program Access and Defaults
in Windows do not retain?

Internet Explorer 6 SP1 and Outlook Express 6 SP1 keep running at
times. I do not want Outlook Express 6 SP1 to run at all. Although
Internet Explorer 6 SP1 has to run to access the Windows Update
web site, Windows users have not choice on this one, and I do not
set Internet Explorer 6 SP1 to default when it runs, there are many
times where URLs will launch through Internet Explorer 6 SP1
rather than Mozilla Navigator. Mozilla is set as the default web
browser.

Why are these anomalies occurring in Windows XP? Did Microsoft
make it look like these settings would work and deface the users
on using these options?