Windows' "Search" Silently Downloads Files?

[iago]

It's been known about since 2002, but is still relevant:

...[W]hen I performed an Internet search, the Assistant sent my search terms to the Microsoft site, and also dropped a session cookie on my machine.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/04/11/winxp_search_assistant_silently_downloads/

[deadly7]

I'm glad that I use command prompt to find!

[Blaze]

I'm glad I've never used the search feature. :)

[Nate]

why would you even use windows search to search the internet?

[iago]

Beats me! 

It also connects to the Internet to fetch files if you use it to search your harddrive, but it's not sending anything critical in that case.  I still don't know why it would be connecting, though.

[Nate]

Did anyone ever think MS somehow records usage stats on every one of their products?  I know for a fact even things like Solitaire and Minesweeper connect to the internet i just never understood why.

[Blaze]

Did anyone ever think MS somehow records usage stats on every one of their products?  I know for a fact even things like Solitaire and Minesweeper connect to the internet i just never understood why.

Duh, to check for an update, you know, just incase somebody found an overflow somewhere. ;)

[iago]

Solitaire and Minesweeper don't update automatically.  If there was an update, it would be through Windows Update.

[Blaze]

It was a joke, since there is no good reason they would need to connect. :)