I consulted a contact on this issue who's training to become a MS 'expert'.
He advised to install MS Group Policy Editor - it's standard on XP Pro but not the Home version.
Not been able to do it yet but here's how in case anyone else is interested or has experience of it.
Here is a link to get the files and install instructions and link to MS for 'how to use'.
http://forums.pcpitstop.com/index.php?showtopic=129347Friend said
Start\Run , type mmc
Click on File, Add/remove snapin
Click Add
Add group policy object editor
Click Finish
Click Close
Click okay
Click Local Computer Policy
Click Windows settings (underneath User config)
Click Internet Explorer Maintenance
Click Double click Connections
Click on Automatic browser config
Then make the changes you want to
Then close down in the normal way
Reboot and this should be globally applied
I'll report back when I've tried it.
Terry.