Windows 7 Network Awareness: How Does it Work?

[News]

"Whenever I connect to a WiFi network which requires in-browser authentication, such as university networks and hotel access points, Windows somehow magically knows. Windows also knows when your internet connection isn't working, and can differentiate between having local LAN access, no network access at all, or full internet access. But how?" Windows 7 actually phones home to a simple Microsoft ...

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