The Windows 7 Action Center centralizes system notifications in one location. It is similar to the Security Center included in previous versions of Windows but tracks additional items.

The Action Center tracks both security and maintenance features. More specifically, it tracks seven specific security features and four maintenance features.

The seven security features tracked by the Action Center include:

• Windows Firewall
• Virus Protection (Keep in mind that Windows 7 does not include a virus program. The Action Center does integrate any third party virus software installed on your computer).
• Windows Update
• Internet Security Settings (These are the settings configured through Internet Explorer)
• User Account Control
• Spyware
• Network Access Protection (NAP)

The four maintenance features tracked by the Action Center include:

• Backup
• Windows Update
• System Maintenance Troubleshooting
• Problem Reports

[awsbullet:windows 7 action center]