Security is important for every computer to keep it protected from viruses, malware and prying eyes. Most operating systems provide different layers of security and security settings that may be pre-set to a level higher than your actual requirements. Depending upon your network setup, firewalls, security software, and your required protection level, you may be able to lower security settings to reduce the number of pop-up security warnings. This Windows 7 guide provides a step-by-step review of how to turn on and off security settings on your computer.

Review your current security notification requirements. This may require checking with the information technology department of your company, reviewing your current security software and assessing your vulnerability based on the type of work and websites you frequently review. A home computer that rarely browses the Internet will likely have lower security needs than a computer used to store financial data for a company.

Click on your windows menu and select "Control Panel" from the right-hand column. The "Adjust your computer's settings" window will appear. Click on the "System and Security" link. On the "Control Panel Home", select "Action Center" from the right panel. On the next screen, click "Change Action Center settings" from the left column.

Uncheck any security messages or maintenance messages you want to turn off. You can turn off security messages for windows updates, Internet security settings, network firewall, spy-ware and related protection, user account control and virus protection. Maintenance messages can be disabled for windows backup, check for updates, and windows troubleshooting notifications. Once you uncheck the messages you want to disable, click the "OK" button.

Check out the how tos below to learn other tips for the Windows 7 Operating System:

1. How to Burn Disk Images in Windows 7
2. How to Change the Taskbar Clock Setting in Windows 7
3. How to Change What the Power Button Does in Windows 7
4. How to Combine Apps and Make the Taskbar Smaller in Windows 7
5. How to Create a Full Search in Windows 7
6. How to Create a Virtual Hard Disk in Windows 7
7. How to Display Empty Drives in Windows 7
8. How to Dock Window from Left to Right to Center in Windows 7
9. How to Encrypt a USB Drive in Windows 7
10. How to Magnify the Screen in Windows 7
11. How to Make Your Background a Slideshow in Windows 7
12. How to Minimize Hide Expand Browse Windows in Windows 7
13. How to Quickly Arrange Icons in Windows 7
14. How to Quickly Create a New Instance of a Program in Windows 7
15. How to Quickly Lock the Screen in Windows 7
16. How to Remove or Add Run Command in Start Menu in Windows 7
17. How to Run an Application as Administrator in Windows 7
18. How to Run An Application As Another User in Windows 7
19. How to Show or Hide the Preview Side Bar in Windows 7
20. How TO Stretch a Window Vertically in Windows 7
21. How To Turn On and Off Security Settings in Windows 7
22. How to Use the App Locker in Windows 7