My guess is if you still have your Security Center running in the lower right hand corner - maybe the two are trying to communicate to set up the third party firewall correctly.

With this being so new (Microsoft Security Center) - that could be my only guess why it's calling on that but I've never heard of ctrl.microsoft.com and obviously either has anyone else on the net since Google doesn't come up with anything on this.

Well that's my two cents worth hope it sheds some possible light on it... :beer:

I think that Windows is checking for updated drivers.
I think you can disable that automatic driver update check somehow.
But I don´t remember where I saw that option...

yes, each time you install a device windows will try to find the "best" driver in their databases.

don't u have a notice before adding a new device asking you to check up internet for new drivers ?
if not it must be turned to automatically do it all time ....
the option is very annoying till I found the setting to be adjustable ... pretty cool for noobs ...
and for others just hit:
system properities ... aka System
goto hardware tab
and right under the device manager aka gerätemanager
there is a WU button there it can be deactivated forever