The Windows 7 Action Center compiles many functional features in one location, saving users the trouble of having to manage and maintain their system in multiple areas.  System security, maintenance, and troubleshooting tools are now accessible through a more intuitive interface that makes it easier to keep the system running optimally.

In 2007 Windows Vista OS introduced the Security Center—a functional but limited feature that provided a place for users to monitor a system’s security, local firewall settings, and virus protection.  While a good concept, the limited nature of the security center—nothing but security—still required users to navigate through different menus and apps to maintain the rest of the system. With Windows 7, Microsoft has taken the concept of a unified location for security and expanded it to include other features.  Microsoft calls this centralized administrative application the Action Center and has designed it with simplicity in mind.  Microsoft’s development team set forth the following goals for the Windows 7 Action Center:

• Reduce the number of notification balloons sent to users and make the ones that are sent more meaningful
• Provide an easy way to address issues with a single click
• Reduce the clutter in the system to streamline troubleshooting

The Action Center will offer users the following ways to administer to their system’s maintenance and security needs:

Notifications-

Security and maintenance alerts are now collected in a single place and will automatically notify users when important issues need to be addressed.  The Action Center is preconfigured to alert the user anytime the system needs consent to complete an action, but gives users the option to selectively turn off up to nine non-critical notifications.

Security-

All applications relating to system security can be found in the Action Center.  These apps include:

• Windows Firewall- protect your operating system against malicious traffic at home, work, or while travelling
• Virus Protection- manage your anti-virus applications
• Windows Updates- check for Windows updates and schedule them to install at a convenient time when your system will be idle.
• Spyware/Malware protection- manage spyware and malware protection apps
• Internet Security Settings- manage the security settings for your internet browser
• User account control- select when and how often Windows notifies about application changes that will affect Windows.
• Network Access Protection- manages the health of the workstation to ensure it has necessary security in place to protect the business network
• Windows Defender- manage built in protection against pop-ups and spyware

Maintenance-

With Windows 7, all system maintenance tasks are now centrally located in the Action Center.  These tasks include:

• Backups- with Windows Backup, you can make copies of individual data files or create a complete mirror image of the entire system, including data files, programs, and system settings, saving you recovery time and effort in the event of a corrupted or lost file, or in the event of a catastrophic hard drive failure.
• Updates- The Action Center will post an alert any time a new Windows 7 OS update or critical patch is released.
• Troubleshooting-

Programs- configure Windows 7 to run programs created for earlier versions of Windows

Hardware and Sound- configure external devices, internal hardware, printers, and audio settings

Network and Internet- modify your networking settings and internet preferences

Appearance- select monitors, adjust resolution, and customize the appearance of your desktop

System and Security- run maintenance tasks and adjust power settings Troubleshooting report- Any time a user initiates a troubleshooting action, Action Center will generate a report that logs any problems found and also record all actions taken during problem mediation.

• Recovery-In the event of a partial or complete system failure, you can restore files from previously made backups, or attempt a full recovery of your system from a recent image.

To learn more about how Windows 7 Action Center can simplify system maintenance, talk to the Windows experts at All Covered by calling 866-446-1133.

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