77. How Do I Remove The Security Alert Icon (SP2) From The System Tray

After installing the Windows Service Pack 2 (SP2) you will notice another security feature entitled Security Alert. This checks that your firewall, anti virus and windows update options are all operating correctly.

However, if you don't use, say, the Windows Firewall, preferring instead to use a third party firewall, as soon as you disable the windows firewall the security alert icon appears in the system tray informing you that your system is not protected.

The same applies if Windows Update is not enabled or you do not have an up to date anti virus application. While this is commendable that you should be alerted to these short comings you are well aware that 'you' yourself have disabled these features in favour of a third party product. To make sure that the security alert icon doesn't keep pestering you proceed as follows:

Please Note: Some people are still experiencing problems with the Security Center Alerts even though they have been disabled using the procedure below. If you experience any problems the only 'current' solution is to Disable the Security Center all together. To do this follow the details at the bottom of this page.

Removing Security Alert check marks from Security Center

Click the Start button.
From the Start menu select Control Panel.
In Control Panel click the Security Center Icon.
The security Center window will now open.
On the left of the window you will see a list of options.
Click on the Change the way security Center alerts me option.
In the Security Center Alert settings windows you have three options:

1. Firewall.

2. Auto Updates.

3. Virus Protection.

Remove the check mark from the option you do not want to be alerted of.
Click OK.
Finally Exit the Security Center and Control panel.

Disabling Security Center from within Services msc

Click Start button.
Click Run.
In the Run dialogue box type: services.msc
In the services window scroll down the list until you come to Security Center.
Double Click on the Security Center option.
The Security Center properties window will open.
In the Start Type dialogue box it should read ‘Automatic’.
Click the arrow on the right of the dialogue box.
From the drop down menu select Disable.
Click the Apply button followed by OK to Exit the Security Center Properties Window.
Finally Exit Services msc.