| All comments about wscntfy.exe: |
 jacabnan | Windows Security Center, introduced in Service Pack 2 |
 Elizabeth | Since I installed the WindowsServicePak 2 I am constantly annoyed with alerts. All of my firewall and Anti-Virus programs are all up to date. So far it is just bothersome. |
 JF McDonald | It might be great for security problems, but - and I don't put appart it's only a problem with my system - since this service pack is installed, my system has become very slow ! It often freezes for split seconds. Because I did not have this trouble before the activation of this window process, I think it is not as good as it would seem. |
| Jake | this file being related to service pack 2 for windows xp is ok. However make absolutly sure that you meet the minimum hardware requirements before you install service pack 2. Also I recommend doubling the system ram requirement for optimal performance. The anoying pop up stuff can be turned of by removing the virus monitoring and using the windows firewall. |
| Sludg3 | If you'd like to get rid of this process you'll want to go into your control panel and then go into the security center. Once in there look along the left bar where you'll see quite a bit of text. At the bottom of this list you'll see where it says change the way security center alerts me. Click on this. Uncheck all three of these settings See also: Link |
| Laura R. | Added with the install of Service Pack 2. Displays options for firewall, auto updates, and virus protection. Not so much dangerous, as it is ANNOYING. |
 Mark | Annoying service, depending on what AV/Firewall you use, it may bother you endlessly. Disable the "Security Center" service to never see it again. |
| Laura R. | Installed with Service Pack 2. Displays options for firewall, auto updates and virus protection. Not dangerous, but ANNOYING. |
| richard | It is bothersome because i already know i have current antivirus/firewall, this seems to cause my computer to run slower. |
 | totally unnessicary for medium to advanced users...if your smart enough to be here, you obviously dont need it. |
 George T. | Ever since I installed SP2 my systems slower and freezes between tasks. |
| | It comes with sp2 for xp, it made my pc slow down quite a bit. |
| Roland | Risky If Not Enabled |
| Altec | It's just annoying! |
| haz3l | While the program acts with good intent, it becomes quite a pest. Having automatic updates off, or having your own firewall is considered a "problem". |
| Joey | It is the windows security center program AKA the firewall you have |
| Gamer | Since Installing Service Pack 2, this process was the biggest change. My computer would freeze stop motion ever so often. Since disabling it, my computer speed has been upgraded. We did good without it, don't really need it. |
| ardi | Makes the system very slow |
| Laurent | Finally, just a way to remember that you need 1. a firewall, 2. Windowsupdate and 3. Anti-virus. If you know this, you don't need that service unless you apreciate these little yellow popup messages coming out all the tiime. |
| Mark Randall | The process for the security alerts (the little shield) - To remove it you can use security wizard to set Windows to 'I have a x that I monitor myself' and this will stop giving you the alerts. |
| Joshuadwc | It is part of SP2 and is known to slow down peopels computer.. But, it is not dangerous as such, it is as dangerous as the rest of windows. |
| DonChoudhry | SP2 app. to protect Windows. Essiential for an unprotected PC. Optianal otherwise |
| TR | sp2 protection options, shut it down if you know what your doing. |
| Strato80 | unnnecesary and annoying, disable in "service" |
| | It's pure, utter and complete crap. Avoid SP2. |
| Microsoft PC Safety Employee | security center is not necessary for advanced users but anyone below that should leave it running, and is only annoying because you havent taken the time to learn it or configure it properly |
| DominantHeart | Does collect information on your setup but does not link you to your computer. |
| jbon | just change your preferences in its own options dialog |
| Angelo | Annoying on home laptop (xp home), never came up on a pc in the office (xp pro) |
| | Windows Security Centre Notification Process. It poses no risk whatsoever, its really for those who dont use a firewall etc/ If SP2 is slowing your pc down, clean install it! |
| Matt | If you're new at Windows security, leave it. If you understand how to protect your system then go into services and disable it. See also: Link |
| at work | Installing Service Pack 2 will not affect Norton AntiVirus. The Windows Security Center, which is a component of Windows XP Service Pack 2, will be aware that you have Norton AntiVirus installed, but it will not be able to determine its working status due to Symantec's tamper-protection technology. See also: Link |
| Richard Tarzanian | For experienced users, it's an annoyance. |
| Dan H. | Does not make a computer any slower. disable security center and move on. |
| Anom | This file has made my cpu clock speed go from 2.1 to 1.53 |
| Ande Anderson | It is just a form of Microsoft sanctioned AdWare & MalWare. |
| Brendan | Another Microsoft attempt to scare users into using only their products! |
| | Was just annoyed that it's such a random name...gets caught in the hunt for actual spyware. |
| timmy | is directly related to the pop-up for security center, not dangerous at all. If you think SP2 slows your machine down, un-install it. If you dont like the little yellow pop-up, turn it off. Simple. |
| Polar Dragon | Dieses Problem lässt sich einfach über eine Einstellung ändern. This problem can be solved by a setting. Gehe ins Windows-Sicherheitscenter und auf der Hauptseite auf der linken Seite unter 'Ressourcen' die Wahl 'Warnungseinstellungen des Sicherheitscenters ändern' anklicken - und deine Wahl treffen. Go to Windows-Security-Center and on the main page on the left side amongst 'Ressources' you will find a statement like 'change of alerts in security center' - and so do your choice. |
| Chris | no idea on this file but i did find some random named processes since sp2... anyone have an idea on these... rbqjfz.exe and ghgct.exe... any info would be apreciated |
| BT | Helpful and I think it's good for your system, but is annoying if you have automatic updates turned off, also makes many programs (mostly ones that use a lot of CPU power) not function correctly. I recommend major updating to SP2. |
| GenesisExodus | It's horrible. But, it isn't harmful, or nessecary. So do what you want. Disabling is recommended for users with slower computers. |
| Arthur Vandelay | Don't terminate this process unless you have experience with computers and know how to protect your system. By looking at the replies it seems like many of you don't. |
| Tinysoft | SP2 made this 900Mhz PC with Cable run like a 533mhz on dialup on rox ,Disabled Security Center in Control panel and now everythings MUCH better and @ top speed, Thanks |
| M.Engels | Windows Spionage möglichkeit |
| Delorean | This program is a head ache I have a solution |
| unit321 | Comes with sp2 and is part of the security center. Not needed UNLESS you use windows firewall or similar services, 3rd party security software does not rely on it |
| Tc | PS2 Security Centre - A pointless piece of junk that should not be in a 'Pro' version. Anybody used to win2k will agree that we are not KIDS and do not need toys |
| JayMez | Annoying, the setup is nice for home users, but otherwise its just another process eating up valuable resources... |
| HydroManiacR | Since i got sp2 it slowed down my system by a lot and it does lag everytime, whenever i try to open any program my comp would just sti there for a few mins and then open it. i think this is totally not worth it. I have no idea why microsoft did even release this piece of crap. |
| El Tangas | If u have your own antivirus and firewall, this is just wasting system resources, so turn it off. |
| | glad to be rid of it, a most annoying "service" |
| Graeme | Part of XP SP2 |
| XXX | So annoying...when you try to end the process with task manager, it comes right back up. I thought it was spyware before i googled it. now it is off and i am happy :-) |
| JJT Electronic Engineer | An added process from service pack 2 - anytime additional processes are added to your system you will experience some sort of slow down. Remove/Disable it if you do nto need it. |
| Graeme C | Part of XP SP2 - for experienced users it is just annoying and a nuisance |
| | All I know, is Ive had SP2 for a while, no problems, then suddenly, security center alerts begin popping up telling me my antivirus definitions are out of date, of which I am well aware thanks to the norton alerts i get daily, I have followed all instructions I could find to stop this security center alerts, every time I close the alert it reappears in 5 seconds, My definitions are out of date YES, but ya know what? the only PROBLEM im having is with these worthless, endless alerts, anyone know how to REMOVE security center entirely? |
| JM | Security Center is good as it helps remind those who are not technically savvy that they need better security. For those who are annoyed by all the alerts because you are running 3rd party programs or simply don't want to know... turn off the alerts and stop complaining. It's simple, go to: Control Panel - Security Center - under Resources (on left) click the "Change the way Security Center alerts me" link - uncheck those alerts you do not wish to recieve. Simple. |
| airfoil | Microsoft's Security Center, more of an annoyance than anything. To get rid of it, got to Control Panel, Adminstrative Services, Services - then find Security Center and change its startup atttributes to Disabled from Automatic. |
| Charley Froehlich | Turning off gthis file stopped constant interputions of system processes which were seriously interfering with my attempts to record internet radio shows. |
| BW | You don't see it on a server client network. Disable items that seem to bother you. Use a firewall and antivirus scanner doesn't have to be Microsofts |
| | Annoying, and probably unsecure (it's microsoft you know) |
| Quimi | For experienced users, it's an annoyance. |
| | ituneshelper.exe |
| internet security saavy | don't listen to those who say to disable it. They either don't know what they're talking about or they are hackers or persons who create viruses that can't get past this security feature. Don't disable it if you want to keep your computer (office) running smoothly. If your computer runs slow... "because of this", YOU NEED MORE RAM. Its not because of this process. |
| Octi | I just thoght of searching about this file when I saw something in my list of processess that I didn't know what it was. Now I know what it is and Kapow! it is gone.... Another MS bull this "security" service. It is supposed to make me feel secure not annoyed. |
| Baysix | It's anoying to see all the pop-ups by Windows, when this is what I am trying to stop. It's like a parent telling someone not to drive fast, when he/she turns around and drives fast him/her self. |
| Roman | just configure the settings in win security center by going to recources(the left most tab in security window) and change it any way you want |
| Moz | is only a problem if you have a slow computer, if u have an anti virus and firewall from norton etc, definately disable this service |
| neatoman | from microsoft: "Network performance and data throughput may be significantly slower after installing Windows XP Service Pack 2" See also: Link |
| Reboot | this security center service is very annoying since I'm using an ex-windows firewall and it's continously advicing me. |
| no name | its uselles unless you know nothing about computers... basicly tells you if you have antivirus installed |
| | I rate this as not dangerous, but very annoying. It is a waste of time and can slow down your computer. See also: Link |
| Sam | Notifier of feature in SP2. Advanced users would know to disable Windows Firewall and use a good one. |
| Josh | So I guess all you guys use Linux then right, because how dare Microsoft try to educate its users! |
| Barkeeper | it´s a win process, if u use a software/ hardware - firewall , disable this service |
| user | knowing nothing but sth. of microsoft is dangerous sometimes without our knowing |
| Glenn | Part of XP SP2 |
| Concerned Citizen | Analysis shows a couple of remote terminals hanging off the version I am looking at. It is for snooping, I think. All microsoft software has been set up for remote snooping by ? |
| jambox | and by dangerous i mean frustrating. the "Change the way Security Center alerts me." options always return after a day or so. i have to uncheck them again, every day. anyone else have the same thing? |
| Jack | I found that it was not only annoying but ate up tons of memory ! I deleted it and haven't had any problems since! |
| griifin | Microsoft annoyance, nothing more. |
| MDW | microsofts way of connecting with the people that buy its programs with a rather constant and memory hog hello |
| | ok this file always screams at me when i turn off auto update off and it treats that as a problem. for computer illiterate people, they wont know how to turn off auto update so this doesnt matter. it is annoying that i cant turn it off directly. |
| | it's part of Microsofts own form of spyware/tracking/legal XP if you run a dodgey copy you will have several new services like this reporting back to His Gates. Don't know if that's true but all in all XP should be Ditched. All the service packs are about making you upgrade to software/hardware products from their partners in crime |
| Kat | File is not dangerous. Not risky to disable it if you have a decent firewall and antivirus running. It is annoying and uncessary to run Windows Security Centre if you take these precautions. |
| hugo | Disabled Security Center at it fixed a problem a had with downloading SOME files with bittorrent....yeah...the download speed seems much better too! |
| computer smartz | This file/aplication is not harmful in any ways. It is meant to help those who dont know much about computers and such, and i recomend that if you do not know how to turn it off on your own just to simply leave it be. If you wish for the "pop-ups" to stop, simply open the program from the task menu at the bottom of the screen and choose the last option on the far left, then uncheck what you wish it would not inform you about. |
| | Great to learn how to turn off that damned "Automatic Updates are Off" Message. |
| Inge | Not dangerous but annoying to have all those uncessesary processes running in the background. I'm capable of updating my virus definitions and Windows without this reminder. Good intentions by Microsoft, but too "Familiy friendly" and not for more "advanced" users. |
| amorette | It is very annoying for me, but for most users out there who have practically no idea about Internet security, I think they need this sort of annoyance. |
| jinlewis | wscntfy.exe open port 3752 |
| colin | I hate it it's always closing on me |
| Mariano | Tray icon indicating update stats for SP2. Not dangerous but annoying. Takes up resources. Reccomend to disable... R click My computer, Manage, then disable & stop under services. |
| Zach | im not sure this is all interesting but i do know i updated to pack 2 and then all hell broke loose on my pc... ad aware from lavasoft, my spyware detection program has only been working overtime since the SP 2 install... :( |
| Malc | I m not sure if my machine has a virus or if SP2 is the virus, my system has slowed down a lot though since istalling SP2, there seems to be a delay in everything, Security, according to virus and ad ware checkers the system is clean |
| Paul | Added to windows XP by service pak 2. It's supposed to be a security settings GUI, but I find it to be entirely useless and total nuisance. |
| ShAdOw_StAlKeR | not dangerous, but is necesary to keep on. if your other programs go down, this one is there to "take over" (hint: DO NOT use microsoft's software as your only AV protection scource). DO NOT disable it. if it slows you down too much: BUY MORE RAM. simple |
| GB | To diable this service : control panel / administrative tools /services / security centre / d/click and disable it....hay presto it dont reapear after shutdown |
| microsoft hater | garbage |
| nahl991406bee | XP "X-tra_Pro.BLm". That thing Slow Down ur PC |
| van | Something is causing IE to stop loading pages after 5 to 10 minutes..started when SP2 was installed |
| Justin | I disabled the Security Service. Best to avoid if you know anything about securing your system, as likemost of Windows XP, this is just invasive, pointless and a waste of resources. |
| ahoier | It's a Windows XP Sp2 file......it's supposed to "alert" you, and keep track of your antivirus/firewall, and automatic updates...but TBH, it's quite bullshit. If you know your own computer configuration, just shut off the Security Center service in services.msc - This process will go away. |
| Ajinkya_India | this is an tray for Windows XP firewall, when u disable ur firewall or turn off Auto Updates it will appear in tray as well in Task menu. any 1 can pls tell me how to clear it from Task menu & from tray ? |
| Paul | Annoying and not necessary for advanced users. |
| NX | Notifies the user if one of the three Security options are turned off! |
| baachor | annoying part of SP2,goin to DISABLE it .) |
| Tony | Not dangerous, just annoying. If you have your firewall enabled or any other security/antivirus software (Norton, etc.), don't practice any risky internet or file sharing behavior, or manually administer your security, it's relatively unneccesary. Disable in 'sevices'. |
| JackBlack440 | sludg3 is right. The security service in control panel is the way to go if you want to close that darn notification off. Safest way for people who aren't too computer literate. I keep everything updated manually so I don't need a program that conflicts with everything I'm doing because it's always on. |
| bob | its from microsoft... i has to have a problem or a flaw somewhere.... i hate those blasted popups.... SP2 sucks as does this file |
| koodoo | unneeded service, disable it, go to google ..search for xp services and disable as recommended. I use only 12 services..128m free out of 256m's |
| | It's an insult to your intelligence to have that icon sit there and bug you when you have deliberately disabled firewall or autoupdates, and a chore finding out how to disable the alert. If you were driving a car, this would be like somebody telling you every 5 seconds that your headlights are on. |
| Pat | I don't know about slowing down because of this little process here, since I've always had it. I'm thinking of uninstalling it because of the continuous pop-ups, but at the uninstall window it threatens me that about EVERY program will NOT work from thereon... can any of you tell me something about that? |
| Andy | Part of security centre. Slowed my PC down to a crawl until I installed 3rd part antivirus/ firewall. Once the 3rd party firewall was installed it turned itself off and the whole PC came up to speed IMMEDIATELY. |
| | this damned file need resources without helping . |
| espy | Not dangerous per se, but actually does slow my system down, sometimes massively. Just disable warnings in the security center = problem solved. It just notifies you of security center warnings, if your security center is doing what you want it to, just turn this off. |
| PJ | Wastes system resource if you have alternate AV and firewall. Intrudes and slows system more than seems reasonable |
| Sam.l (aus) | The file wscntfy.exe is not a virus if it is located in your systems folder. It is designed to give you warnings in your toolbar about your own system security and this will appear as a red shield in the bottom right hand corner next to your clock. Dont get this mixed up with malware as this is not it is just designed to inform you of your current system security if it is under threat, such as having windows updates turned off. If you do have windows updates turned off because you are running a pirated version and do not want to recieve these alerts, go controlpanel securitycenter changealerts |
| strangler | Bothersome file, disable after instaling good firewall.... |
| Brayli | Security Update annoying message can be disabled with Regedit: path: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced] and Add "EnableBalloonTips" = dword:00000000 (0). No more messages :) |
| Heywood | After this was installed, my system performance sucked - this is on a 2.8 ghz dual core box, it was chewing up all the cpu for one core. Turning off the security notifications took care of the issue. Thanks microsoft! |
| Nuno | annoying service. if you are an experienced user just get rid of it. |
| John Oldgit | I don't need those annoying pop-up windows telling me my life could be in danger if I don't turn on automatic updates. My firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware are all capable of updating themselves without any fuss or dragging me out of bed to tell me they've done it. MS should concentrate on the security problems with MSN messenger ans Internet Exploder. |
| TheFox | Is _definately_ NOT necessary for advanced users. Disable in services or ask ShAdOw_StAlKeR to buy you more RAM... |
| wakh.livejournal.com | SP2 feature: control for Antivirus + Windows firewall + AutoUpdate |
| | Service pack2 slow my computer down by 70% of its normal speed... and too much pop up by windows xp updates and some other craps. |
| Diego | Windows Security Center, introduced in Service Pack 2 |
| Raj | The instructions at the top of the page are really good. |
| Jimpa | Windows security center, it warns you that you must have a anti virus and a firewall. |
| Cristina | I got infected with this, and it fills my taskbar with the automatic updates icon, and it opens a whole lot of processes named wscntfy, plus everytime an Instant Messaging windows opens, it writes something random.... It's annoying. |
| ad | Not dangerous... Useless if you keep on top of your own security, but for the life of me I can't understand why 90% of people who cry about M$ software, still continue to use it.......Learn Linux, buy a Mac or get over it.! |
| Jeff H | Not dangerous, but annoying and certainly not needed. Contrary to what some have said here, this is NOT the firewall itself, or anything like that; it just checks to make sure that such programs are working, it is not one itself. Most people are probably better off with it disabled, but some may find their peace of mind improved by keeping it on. |
| vulkus | Although it is a big pain with all the bothersome info. It appears you can not remove it. However, this is not so. Open up your control panel and select security centre, from the left hand pane select "Change the way security centre alerts me". You should see a box with 3 check marks, uncheck each one you no longer wish to be notified with. The annoyance then goes away. It is that simple. |
| Lawson | is nothing but an annoyance. Refer to Sludg3 to get rid of it! |
| A Traveler | Its one of MS`s ways of saying, "Welcome to Vista" (a faster, more reliable, safer platform). Vista will resolve all of the problems & issues of a soon to be O/S relic, Windows XP. Support for XP will be ending very soon. (as it has for 2000, ME, 98, 95, nt, etc.) |
| Nigger James | It's annoying if you know what you are doing. But useful if you don't have adequate protection. |
| Vlad | I think it's a Spyware ... it just starts opening connections to many places 8- Checked that by ussing netstart in command prompt. Tryin` to get rid of it ... but it's very hard cuz my internet hardly works anymore |
| | Slowed win xp sp2 systems with = 512 ram or = 2.2 ghz chip. "your headlights are on" (2) PEST TRAP looks EXACTLY like yellow security updates! |
| Novac | Useless if you have real firewall. |
| NZEE | I installed Service Pack2 and since then, even if i have installed the latest AntiVirus software, it bugs me everytime with giving some sort of alerts! |
| hirtlitschka | seit dem Update 2.13 da |
| core | Nicht notwendige Datei. Macht zum anderen auch (einen) z.b. port "3752" auf. Wo man leichter eindringen kann (firewall umgehen). Zum andern, wenn einer ersatzt datei schreibt und sich in C:\Windows\System32 einnistet, überschreibt er die Original datei. Legt sich im Kernel fest. einzige möglichkeit, system neu zu laden. |
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