Windows XP has a built in security center that monitors the activities or existence of Automatic Updates, Windows Firewall and virus protection provided by third party anti virus software.

When one or more security component do not been installed, or been disabled or turned off, or not working, Windows Security Center will highlight the section in yellow or red for warning and critical attention. Security Center service will also pop up a warning message with red or yellow icon that your computer might be at risk at notification area (system tray).

Security Center in Windows XP can be disabled or turned off so that the system will not monitor or check whether or not the antivirus software existed, properly installed and running, or whether the firewall and Automatic Updates been disabled or bypassed.

1. Click on Start button, then select Control Panel.
2. Select “Administrator Tools” (if you don’t see it, double click on “Performance and Maintenance” first).
3. Double click “Services”.
4. Find and double click on the service named “Security Center”. Alternatively right click on “Security Center”, and select “Properties” on right click menu.
5. In the “General” tab, beside the “Startup type:”, change the setting from Automatic to “Disabled”. This will permanently disable Security Center forever, even after you reboot and restart the computer system.
6. The click on “Stop” button at the bottom of the dialog window to stop Security Center immediately during current log on session.

After disable the Security Center, you won’t be any security warning (Your computer might be at risk, and etc) nag again. By turning it off, your system may be expose to virus, malware and spyware threat too if your anti virus program is not functioning unknowingly or accidentally.

To enable or turn Security Center back on, simply select “Automatic” at step 5 above. If you want to run Security Center for a while or immediately after set to “Automatic” as Startup type, click on “Start” button.