Well, the elements of the Windows GUI are simply commandline instructions or short scripts that run inside the equivalent of an "on click" wrapper, or similar event-driven trigger, so getting rid of it isn't an option. What we're talking about, is denying access to it, whereby the question becomes "why would you want to"? If most users never use it, so what?

The problem really is, that it lacks power and flexability, and wthout a proper file and ownership policy within Microsoft operating systems the arguments for using it aren't as strong.

That said, ipconfig, traceroute, ftp... these are all much easier to use than leaving a trail of crufty freeware GUIs, that do he same jobs, behind you, wherever you go. I'm always baffled by security paranoid Windows sys admins, I've met, who follow every tutoiral and guide in the universe about locking down their systems, but when faced with a quick task like a file transfer to another machine, will quite happily download some point-and-click widget - with a version number that starts with a zero - from some website in Siberia!