Why does Windows XP components always want to connect to the Internet

[Dan]

I know all about WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) and the controversy
that it has caused but I was wondering why in Windows XP Professional
there are so many Microsoft components that always want to connect to
the Internet. I realized this because I use Zone Alarm Professional and
it alerts me when things are trying to connect to the Internet. In
Windows 98 Second Edition, you do not have Microsoft components always
trying to connect to the Internet. Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[GHalleck]

I know all about WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) and the controversy
that it has caused but I was wondering why in Windows XP Professional
there are so many Microsoft components that always want to connect to
the Internet. I realized this because I use Zone Alarm Professional and
it alerts me when things are trying to connect to the Internet. In
Windows 98 Second Edition, you do not have Microsoft components always
trying to connect to the Internet. Thanks in advance for the replies.

Interesting. Even more often than Windows 2000. Best thing to do
is to permanently deny the program access to the Internet. No reason
for Windows to be calling home so often...even for WGA.

 

[Dan]

Interesting. Even more often than Windows 2000. Best thing to do
is to permanently deny the program access to the Internet. No reason
for Windows to be calling home so often...even for WGA.

I have heard this happens to other XP Pro. users also. I wonder if
there is any Microsoft support article that explains why so many
components of Windows want to use the Internet.

 

[Mistoffolees]

I have heard this happens to other XP Pro. users also. I wonder if
there is any Microsoft support article that explains why so many
components of Windows want to use the Internet.

Now that you have asked and looking into my ZoneAlarm Program
Control tab, there is an inordinate amount of Windows Updates
*.exe files that want to call home. They get denied, of course.
One possibility is that Microsoft is lumbering forward in its
quest of "Managed Computing", cyberspace's version of Managed
Care. A situation that might be aptly described as pay now and
we will decide later what you get.

 

[Dan]

Now that you have asked and looking into my ZoneAlarm Program
Control tab, there is an inordinate amount of Windows Updates
*.exe files that want to call home. They get denied, of course.
One possibility is that Microsoft is lumbering forward in its
quest of "Managed Computing", cyberspace's version of Managed
Care. A situation that might be aptly described as pay now and
we will decide later what you get.

This sounds disturbing. I hope someone can shed clear light on what
Microsoft's intentions are by having its software components constantly
call hope. Thanks for responding. I appreciate it.

 

[NotMe]

It's called CONTROL, look at the push for DRM... Not just MS, look at Sony
and their rootkit...Apple & their DRM...
These companies assume everyone is guilty until proven innocent...but on
their terms, not the customers.
Unless we are willing to NOT use their products, they won't get the message!
I used to have 10 Windows machines on my home network, now I have 7...and 4
Linux boxes.
At the company I work for, we had 250 Windows machines 2 years ago; now we
have 190 and 75 Linux boxes.
MS is cutting their own throat with this BS.

 

[Dan]

It's called CONTROL, look at the push for DRM... Not just MS, look at Sony
and their rootkit...Apple & their DRM...
These companies assume everyone is guilty until proven innocent...but on
their terms, not the customers.
Unless we are willing to NOT use their products, they won't get the message!
I used to have 10 Windows machines on my home network, now I have 7...and 4
Linux boxes.
At the company I work for, we had 250 Windows machines 2 years ago; now we
have 190 and 75 Linux boxes.
MS is cutting their own throat with this BS.

[sigh] It makes one wonder if 1984's theory that George Orwell had is
coming upon us except with Big Brother being the companies instead of
the government.