What does the Outlook Add-In do?

I had/have Win7 desktops on SEP 12.1.1000.157 RU1 with Outlook 2010.  We were experiencing spinning circle cursors for 30-40 seconds several dozen times a day in Outlook 2010 when moving inbetween emails with the preview pane turned on.  If we unchecked the Symantec Endpint Protection Outlook Add In and closed/reopened Outlook, then the condition would stop and we would experience nice and snappy Outlook 2010.  We are in the process of updating to SEP 12.1.4112.4156.  While we do so I am trying to get the below questions answered and would appreciate any info sent my way.

1.What does the Symantec Endpint Protection Outlook Add In do in Outlook 2010 when loaded with Symantec 12.1.4112.4156 on a Win7 box?

2.What does the Outlook Auto-Protect setting in SEP do when on the same Win 7 PC with Outlook 2010 and Symantec 12.1.4112.4156 ?

3.Where can we globally control the Symantec Endpint Protection Outlook Add In box checked ?

4.Where can we globally control the Symantec Outlook Auto-Protect being enabled or not?

Thanks for your time,

Ty Cook

Network Administrator

City of Yuma, AZ