Vista’s Security Center driving you crazy? We take a look at how to quiet down those annoying little pop ups telling you you’re not safe.
Security Issues
Vista has some problems, you could say. Of course, Internet bloggers and web trolls would have you believe that aside from the apocalypse, Vista is the second-most horrible thing that has (or will ever) happen to mankind. While I disagree with some of Microsoft’s “choices,” there is one that stands above the rest: the Security Center. Whoever came up with that idea deserves much worse than they got.
The fact of the matter is this - you’re a savvy computer user, and you don’t need some invisible Keynes-like hand guiding your every decision on your computer. It is your right to mess up your PC however you see fit - and it’s Vista’s responsibility to try to help you. However, when that responsibility goes haywire, or when you install a noncompatible program, or when you simply don’t want to be asked about running an exe file, it’s time to shut the computer up so you can get work done.
I’ve narrowed it down to a few different things you have to do before Vista will simply give up and stay quiet with the whole “security issues” thing through the Security Center. First is disabling UAC.
Disabling User Access Control
1. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> User Accounts
2. You should see a page with your User Credentials there
3. At the bottom of the page, you should see a clickable link that says “Turn User Account Control On or Off”
4. Click on the link and proceed to the next page
5. Uncheck the box that appears on the page and click “Ok”
6. Reboot the computer and UAC will be gone
Disabling Windows Defender
1. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Security Center
2. On that page, you should select the link that says “Windows Defender” at the upper left corner
3. Once you select that link, Windows Defender will pop up
4. On that screen, you’ll have to select “Tools” at the top
5. Then click “Options”
6. Scroll down to the bottom of the Options screen and uncheck “Use Windows Defender”
7. At this point, a popup will appear and Defender will Shut itself off
8. Install Spybot and CCleaner
Disable Notifications from Windows Security Center
1. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Security Center
2. On that page, select the link that says “Change the Way Security Center alerts me”
3. Select “Don’t Notify Me and Don’t Display the Icon”
Security Center is now fully disabled. You’ll never have to worry about any of those annoying security prompts ever again. Just make sure that you install appropriate antivirus and anti-spyware software. Following these recommendations, you’ll be able to handle any problem the Internet may throw at you. Oh, and don’t forget to install a firewall, along with the other two, a great firewall can prevent most problems.
