| Windows Security Center is a security tool included | | | | monitors Windows Defender (a built-in tool in Windows |
| with Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack 2, | | | | 7) and other third party antimalware products. |
| Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. It | | | | Internet security settings: These settings are managed |
| allows you to monitor the status of computer security | | | | through the Security tab available in Internet Explorer 8 |
| settings and services. Windows Security Center also | | | | version. There are various security settings for each |
| constantly examines these security settings, and | | | | of four security zones (Internet, local Intranet, trusted |
| informs via a pop-up notification sign if there is | | | | sites, and restricted sites). If any of these zones are |
| something wrong. Microsoft has renamed it as Action | | | | configured in such a way that your computer is at risk, |
| Center in Windows 7, where it covers maintenance as | | | | the Security Center will display a notification. |
| well as security. | | | | User Account Control: This utility is built to ensure that |
| Windows 7 Security Center | | | | programs running on ae PC are always working with |
| Windows 7 Security center or Action Center is a | | | | the less possible permission level. If required, UAC can |
| single point from where you can get system | | | | raise the permission level to fulfill specific tasks, while |
| maintenance information, security information and can | | | | preventing malicious applications from doing so on their |
| also diagnose computer problems if any. Microsoft has | | | | own. Windows 7 makes UAC less annoying than in |
| reformed Security Center into a handier and | | | | Windows Vista by reducing the number of notification |
| informative Action Center however, you can use the | | | | messages you receive. |
| same term as it's more common amongst folks. It | | | | Network Access Protection (NAP): This feature is |
| includes the following categories: | | | | available in Windows 7 enterprise edition by which the |
| 1. Windows 7 Security Center Notifications | | | | network can automatically detect whether your PC |
| It alerts you when there are important messages that | | | | meets the baseline security policy of the corporation |
| require proper maintenance. The notification itself is | | | | and, if not, move you into a secure network from |
| very informative and lets you know about the problem | | | | which you can download and install any needed |
| right away. Action Center settings provide options to | | | | updates before proceeding. |
| personalize these notifications. | | | | Features |
| 2. Action Center – Security | | | | Windows 7 introduces Action Center or Security |
| In this category, you can monitor all of the required | | | | Center to keepyou updates of security and |
| security information, problems and the options to | | | | maintenanceissues that require attention, such as |
| troubleshoot. | | | | antivirusprotection and file backup. It informs you to |
| 3. Action Center – Maintenance | | | | issues you should pay attentionby displaying a flag with |
| In this section, you can get information related to | | | | an X over a redcircle in the notification area of the |
| system maintenance like system backup, Windows | | | | taskbar. |
| update etc. It also enables you to check solutions. | | | | Usability |
| 4. Troubleshoot Options | | | | Windows Action Center is a new feature in Windows |
| Troubleshooting computer issues has not been easy in | | | | 7 operating system that looks like to Security Center |
| Windows 7. The troubleshooting wizard identifies any | | | | presented in Windows XP & Vista but not exactly |
| technical issues and tries to resolve them. The wizard | | | | same. This time it is more helpful and less annoying. |
| is user-friendly and gives detailed step-by-step | | | | Limitation |
| instructions. | | | | No doubt Windows 7 Security Center is a handy tool |
| 5. Troubleshooting Report | | | | but at times it can get annoying seeing the notification |
| Producing troubleshooting report is as essential as | | | | icon appear every time you turn on your computer. |
| providing a fix. Windows 7 troubleshooting report | | | | Recommendation |
| provides complete information on the task, issues' | | | | Security Center is developed to monitor specific |
| description and their status (fixed or not fixed). | | | | security and maintenance features in Windows 7, but if |
| Manage the following security features through | | | | you think it's irritating you at times, you can disable it |
| Windows 7 Security Center | | | | with no hassle. |
| Windows Firewall: This is normally famous as | | | | Summarize – Features |
| "Network firewall" in Action Center. This tool scans | | | | Action Center is an excellent tool of Windows 7. With |
| network traffic passing in and out of your system. | | | | the new functionalities it ensures everything in |
| Windows Update: In Windows 7 Security Center, | | | | Windows is running at peak efficiency, it allows you to |
| Windows Update is merged with the Automatic | | | | keep systems up and running over extended periods |
| Updates tool from previous Windows editions. This | | | | of time. It was almost impossible in Windows XP, even |
| feature makes sure that essential software updates | | | | with third party programs. But even when compared |
| are installed automatically unless you configure the | | | | to Windows Vista, Action Center represents an |
| system otherwise. | | | | enhancement, given its addition of system |
| Virus protection: Since Windows 7 does not have any | | | | maintenance monitoring. |
| built-in antivirus protection for some reason, Windows 7 | | | | Usability |
| Security Center integrates with third-party antivirus and | | | | Windows 7's Security Center does a great job of |
| Internet security solutions. | | | | combining all of Windows 7 update, alerts and |
| Spyware and unwanted software protection: It | | | | notifications into one icon. |