John -
Thank you for your time & effort. I appreciate it.

I think I'm happy with what you say but there are still questions unresolved.

My two children each have their own user identity on this computer. The Genuine Advantage Notification wants to connect with Microsoft whenever one of the kids logs off and and the computer is logged onto the administrator's identity. That seems to me to be somewhat beyond its proper range of function.

When I downloaded the Validation Tool I didn't change to auto-update. I receive notification of high-priority updates and then download the ones I want myself. I prefer to select my own updates when I do my weekly computer-housework. (I don't think this is from paranoia, I just like to kid myself that I have some control over, and understanding of, this stranger who has taken up residence in my home.)