Browser Preferences IE - Chrome - Firefox - Other?

I've been running IE8 until yesterday when Microsoft did a MANDATORY INSTALL of IE9 as a critical update. I've opted out of installing IE9 for the last year or so because I heard it was way different than 8. It's not that different but there are issues with it.

It's no longer easy to look at browser history. It also wouldn't run with my older version of Google toolbar so I had to get the latest one. Man, is that thing intrusive. It's got almost as many features (I'll never use) as IE9 itself.

Okay, I'll stop whining. I'm looking for a simpler browser. I have both Chrome and Firefox on this machine. I like Firefox but when I got it I wasn't able to import all of my Favorites from IE. It only grabbed about half of them. I weeelllly need my favowits.

Chrome is good but I'm getting sick of Google and all the spyware they force on you. I know, no one is forcing anyone to do anything. Accept their free tools and accept all the spy crap too. It's a package deal.

I'm interested in what you guys are using and why. Is there a really good browser out there I haven't mentioned? School me. Thanks.