As the subject says.  In Microsoft Document Explorer Version 8.0.507272.42
RTM, I have used the Tools menu to bring up the Options dialog, expanded the
"Help" item in the treeview.  Under "Online" I have selected "Try local
only, not online", under "Search these providers" I have deselected all the
checkboxes except "Local Help", and under "Codezone community" I have
disabled all the checkboxes.

 Nonetheless, whenever I launch the help viewer from within visual studio
and try to do a search, I get a  firewall alert, and the Document Explorer
main pane displays the IE "Action  canceled" error page, with the following
URL in the address bar.

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=35117&clcid=409

 My PFW alert says:

Application: Microsoft Document Explorer
Full path:   C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Help
8\dexplore.exe
Local address:  localhost : 4162
Remote address: 64.4.52.189 : 80
Connection:  TCP connection
Direction:   Out

Product details:

Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
Version 8.0.50727.42  (RTM.050727-4200)
Microsoft .NET Framework
Version 2.0.50727

Installed Edition: Professional

Microsoft Visual Basic 2005   77626-009-0000007-41200
Microsoft Visual Basic 2005

Microsoft Visual C# 2005   77626-009-0000007-41200
Microsoft Visual C# 2005

Microsoft Visual C++ 2005   77626-009-0000007-41200
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005

Microsoft Visual J# 2005   77626-009-0000007-41200
Microsoft Visual J# 2005

Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005   77626-009-0000007-41200
Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005

Crystal Reports    AAC60-G0CSA4B-V7000AY
Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2005

   cheers,
     DaveK