Security Center

How to Disable or Enable Security Center in Vista​

   Information

Security Center alerts you when your security software is out of date, turned off, or when your security settings should be strengthened. Security Center monitors the following: Firewall, Automatic updating, Antivirus, Antispyware (EX: Windows Defender), Internet security settings, and UAC (User Account Control).

   Warning

If you disable the Security Center, then you will not be alerted if something disables one of your security programs.

EXAMPLE: Security Center Disabled

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STEP ONE

Security Center Alert Warning

1. If you are Disabling the Security Center​

NOTE: You will need to do this before you Disable the Security Center in step 7 below.​

A) Turn off the Security Center alert warning notification.​

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B) Go to STEP TWO below.​

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2. If you are Enabling the Security Center​

NOTE: You will only be able to do this after you enabled the Security Center in step 8 below.​

A) Turn on the Security Center alert warning notification if you want to.​

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B) Continue to STEP TWO.​

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STEP TWO

Through Services

3. Open the Start Menu.​

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4. In the white line (Start Search) area, type services and press Enter.​

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5. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.​

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6. Scroll down and right click on Security Center and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)​

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7. To Disable Security Center ​

NOTE: Be sure to do step 1 above before you disable the Security Center.​

A) Click on the Stop button and wait a second for it to stop. (See screenshot below step 9)​

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B) To the right of Startup type, click on the drop down menu arrowand select Disable. (See screenshot below step 9)​

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C) Click on the Apply button.​

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8. To Enable Security Center​

NOTE: Be sure to do step 2 above after enabling the Security Center.​

A) To the right of Startup type, click on the drop down menu arrow and select Automatic. (See screenshot below step 9)​

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B) Click on the Apply button.​

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C) Click on the Start button.​

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9. Click on OK.​

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10. Close Services Window.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Disable or Enable the Security Center Alert Warning Notification in Vista
• How to Turn Windows Defender On or Off
• How to Turn UAC On or Off in Vista
• How to Turn DEP On or Off for a Program
• How to Enable or Disable DEP in Vista
• How to Restore or Remove the Security Tab in Vista
• How to Disable or Enable a Specific Security Center Alert Notification in Vista
• How to Fix the Vista Security Center Reporting Incorrect Information

 

[Brink]

Hello John, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You might see if doing a system restore (at boot if needed) using a restore point dated before you had this issue may be able to undo and fix it for you.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[JohnClaude]

I badly need your help. The Security Center service is disabled and can't be enabled. In addition most services are disabled and I can only boot in safe mode. Have tried msconfig and enabled Security center and other services but it won't start. Whenever I click on 'start', it says SC can't start in safe mode. Symantec endpoint protection, IObit and Spybot can't find any virus or malware. I would greatly appreciate your help!

Thanks so much Swan.
Actually, I can't restore as the button is gray. Most Services are still disabled. What7s worse is that my PC (running Vista Ultimate) came without an installation DVD and I have no idea how to fix this problem.
I'm currently running Windows Malicious removal tool and it's near completion but it's showing o threat detection.
Also, could my PC be attacked?
Thanks.

 

[Brink]

John,

You could use OPTION ONE in the tutorial below to create a Vista Recovery Disc to be able to boot from and use to do a system restore at boot with. If you are unable to create the disc on your computer, you can create it on another computer and use it on yours.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html

 

[JohnClaude]

Problem solved. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Brink]

That's great news John. Thank you for posting back with your results.