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And the last post... I promise.

If you want something Windows does to REALLY worry about, this isn't it.

This is: http://web.archive.org/web/20050323094149/http://www.hevanet.com/peace/microsoft.htm

Windows 98 does not connect to Microsoft's computers. Microsoft Windows 98 connects to Microsoft's computers only by user request.

Windows XP connects with Microsoft's computers and expects to be allowed through the user's firewall in many new ways. Each user has a responsibility to control what goes in and out of his or her computer. Microsoft's new networking arrangements make this difficult. Here is a (probably incomplete) list of ways Windows XP tries to connect each user's computer to Microsoft's computers, or expects to be allowed through the user's software firewall:

Application Layer Gateway Service (Requires server rights. "Server rights" means that this Microsoft software inside your computer can set up an arrangement that allows other computers to control it.)
Fax Service
File Signature Verification
Generic Host Process for Win32 Services (Requires server rights.)
Microsoft Direct Play Voice Test
Microsoft Help and Support Center (If you don't stop it, using "Help and Support" notifies Microsoft of the subject of your search.)
Microsoft Help Center Hosting Server (Wants server rights.)
Microsoft Management Console
Microsoft Media Player (Tells Microsoft the music and videos you like. See the February 20, 2002 Security Focus article Why is Microsoft watching us watch DVD movies? [securityfocus.com].)
Microsoft Network Availability Test
Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service
Microsoft Windows Media Configuration Utility (Setup_wm.exe, sometimes runs when you use Windows Media Player.)
MS DTC Console program
Run DLL as an app (There is no indication about which DLL or which function in the DLL.)
Services and Controller app
Time Service, sets the time on your computer from Microsoft's computer. (This can be changed to get the time from another time server.)