Hi:

I can't advise you about WMP10, as I use WMP9. But I too was unable to find any way to configure it to
prevent it from attempting to connect to the internet. In the end, I chose to put up with those Firewall
nags, and I now just click to deny WMP access. This does not impair in any way the function of WMP.

An extra click seems a small price to pay for privacy. Personally, I would never grant WMP carte blanche
access to the net.

What Firewall are you running? Does NIS have a Firewall? Maybe you can configure a firewall to block media player. (You won't be able to get music info)

Also, in WMP, go to tools---options

Click on the "Privacy" tab. Uncheck everything. OK. (You can keep things checked you need, although you may still have the problem)

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the help. I tried unchecking everything and it did nothing. I then went to Microsoft and did some reading. It seems Microsoft has built in some type of tracking and they are storing the data. Norton is notifying me that WMP is trying to do this and this is causing the messages. The solution is to click on File and then click on Work Offline. This works until you want to use the internet or check e-mail. To use either again you must go back online which cancels the WMP Work Offline. This is outrageous of Microsoft. I can see why so many people hate Microsoft.

Julie3564,

I am using WMP 10 and I do not receive requests to allow it Internet access through my firewall, ZoneAlarm. I think the reason you are receiving these nags is because of your settings in WMP. Go to Tools|Options|Privacy tab. Uncheck the item under "Customer Experience Improvement Program" which says you wish to help Microsoft improve WMP by providing usage feedback. With luck, the prompts will cease.

OK, what Firewall are you running? In Zone Alarm and Sygate, they will ask you if you want to allow a program to access the internet. It will also remember your answer.

I don't know about Norton Internet Security. I consider it more troublesome that what it is worth, based on problems I read about.

I prefer to run a good antivirus, Zone Alarm or Sygate for a Firewall, and Spyware Blaster to protect myself from spyware. And of course scan for spyware and viruses often. And it is important to keep Windows updated.

Well, off my rant:

see if NIS has a means of remembering not to allow access from WMP.

Good luck!!!

It was not checked. I tried checking it and then unchecking. It still tries to go to Microsoft every time. I may have to stop using WMP and only use Real Player. I prefer WMP but I am tired of the messages.

I should also mention that I also had Windows Media Player 10 on my Dell 8200 and I had no problems. I bought a Dell 8400 a few weeks ago. This problem is only with my new Dell. I checked my son's computer which is a Dell 8250 with WMP 10 and his does not do this.

Thanks to everybody for their help. What I had to do is to configure my firewall in norton to allow WMP to access the internet anytime it wants. There are no more annoying messages but I lose some privacy. I have a bad feeling about why this is happening. The version that you download may be different than what you get preinstalled with a new computer.

I think you are right. A click is a small price to pay. I reversed the decision. I will keep trying to find a way but I have a feeling it is built into WMP to not allow it to be shut off.