just adding to what Brain already said, if you uncheck the import option and the similar option under ripping. There won't be any automation. You can still select files and right click to get from their database if you want. Also by using a link (the links bar feature must be selected in Options) by clicking on manage links you can set up a semi-automatic lookup)
if you want to mess around, with this you can add a new link (right click on link area of content pane then manage links) and copy this code and use the paste button
<Link version="1,2">
<Item Name="Name">Cover Art</Item>
<Item Name="Action">1</Item>
<Item Name="Base URL">https://www.google.com</Item>
<Item Name="Search URL">https:////www.google.com//search?as_st=y&tbm=isch&as_q=Hexify([Album Artist (auto)] [Album])&safe=images&tbs=isz:lt,islt:xga,iar:s,imgo:1&biw=1097&bih=567</Item>
<Item Name="Filter">[Media Type]=[Audio],[Image],[Video]</Item>
</Link>
This will search on album artist + album in google for images larger than 1024x768 pixels
Just to be sure: with this option unchecked, will MC still get cover art from my local location (in my case, folder.jpg), thus only disabling internet retrieval?
to insure that the standard folder.jpg "rule" is followed make sure you use this option File Location=>Cover Art=>Audio Mode "in the same folder as the file as folder.jpg Note: I do this religiously, but what is really important are the embedded images. You can even do without artwork completely if the tracks themselves are properly tagged with an embedded image. There are reasons to keep the file though, so I recommend you use this options.