by Jodie44 on May 29th, 2006

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Why would Windows Explorer, not Internet Explorer, need to access the internet?

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Answers. 4 helpful answers below.

by Carwash on April 29th, 2008
Most Microsoft software "phones home" for some reason or another, most of the time it's contacting sites run by Microsoft. It could be checking DRM rights, or validating software, or looking up album information if you have music in the folder. A lot of the time noone outside Microsoft is really sure why it's attempting to phone home, just that it does so. It doesn't usually break anything to prevent the connection.
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- THANK YOU!! That is exactly what I wanted to know. Where have you been all my life, LOL?
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  by Jodie44 on April 29th, 2008
- Across a great big pond, drinking tea! ;)
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  by Carwash on April 29th, 2008
- Ah, yes. The Pond. Welcome to Answerbag, Carwash:)
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  by Jodie44 on April 29th, 2008
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by Brian on April 29th, 2008
Jodie, are you using Zone Alarm for your firewall?
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- Hi Brian. I'm using the last free edition of Sygate Personal Firewall.
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  by Jodie44 on April 29th, 2008
- Hi Jodie.
  .
  I just went to a forum discussing this issue and the gist of it seemed to be that with a Zone Alarm firewall the trouble arose when the security setting was high.
  .
  The trouble seemed to go away when the setting was reduced to medium.
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  I didn't read past that so I don't know whether the solution worked for other firewalls or if there was a fix so that the setting could be kept at high.
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  by Brian on April 29th, 2008
- Interesting, and thanks. I could never get into Zone Alarm, for whatever reason. Sygate is great (at least the free edition is, anyway. Too bad the company quit giving it away:(
  Anyway, I hope your week is going well!
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  by Jodie44 on April 29th, 2008
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by FaerieWhings on April 28th, 2008
Up grades maybe?
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- No, I blocked Windows Explorer from web access with my firewall, but the firewall keeps asking me about it. I'm flummoxed and have been for the past two years.
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  by Jodie44 on April 28th, 2008
- That was my only guess. Thought I would try it.
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  by FaerieWhings on April 28th, 2008
- Thanks! I appreciate your effort:)
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  by Jodie44 on April 28th, 2008
- You r welcome.
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  by FaerieWhings on April 29th, 2008
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by neaaax on April 28th, 2008
Internet Explorer is just a browser.
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- I know what IE is. What's that got to do with the question?
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  by Jodie44 on April 28th, 2008
- That's the answer.
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  by neaaax on April 28th, 2008
- So, let me see if I understand you.
  Basically, I asked, "Why would Windows Explorer need to access the Internet? I don't mean Internet Explorer. Those are two different programs." and you wrote: "Internet Explorer is just a browser"
  I'm sorry, but informing me that Internet Explorer is just a web browser does not answer my question. I don't care what Internet Explorer does or doesn't do.
  I asked why Windows Explorer would need to access the Internet.
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  by Jodie44 on April 28th, 2008
- Okay first, windows explorer doesn't have to connect to the internet, Windows Explorer is basically Windows GUI. (graphical user interface)
  otherwise known as EXPLORER.EXE on your task manager.
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  by neaaax on April 28th, 2008
- Never mind. This is a waste of time.
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  by Jodie44 on April 28th, 2008
- You don't even know what you're asking ;)
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  by neaaax on April 28th, 2008
- neaaax, I believe you have misread the original question. Jodie44 does know what they're asking.
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  by Carwash on April 29th, 2008
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