I run IE rarely on my WinME OEM install* and I haven't yet figured out when it decides it wants to connect to MS instead of the default blank page I setup. So it's to do with changing an IE-related setting, hmm?
I've also noticed WMP has no option to "Not check for updates". (Neither does Real Player, BTW.) I wonder how close MS are to Requiring An Internet Connection whilst running Windows...
Wade.
* shaddup.