Registry patch to apply if your method for keeping Windows 7 off the Internet induces 25-second delays when starting some games

Disable Root Cert Updates.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Use this if you're blocking off network access in a way which causes timeouts
; and it's causing some games to wait 25 seconds on every game start as DirectX tries 
; to check the root certs for updates as part of video driver signature checking

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\AuthRoot\AutoUpdate]
"DisableWebRetrieval"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\SystemCertificates\AuthRoot]
"DisableRootAutoUpdate"=dword:00000001

; Stuff below this line can also be done in the GUI by going to the Internet Settings control panel,
; selecting the Advanced tab, scrolling down to the Security subtree, unchecking 
; "Check for publisher's certificate revocation" and "Check for server certificate revocation*",
; and then rebooting. (The * means "reboot required")

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
"CertificateRevocation"=dword:00000000