Annoying wscntfy.exe problem!!

[Freeborn]

Well out of the blue, wscntfy.exe is spamming me with popups...
When i try terminating it just opens another box that says your pc may be at risk cause firewall and update is off.
When i try to terminate it just keeps making another process and a brand new popup, plus to go with it now i cant remove wuaclt.exe which i previously could terminate..

[Hidduh]

Are you running XP, vista or 7?

"wscntfy.exe" is the Windows Security Center Notify Application, introduced in Windows XP Service Pack 2. It displays a tray icon indicating the status of Windows updates, virus protection, and firewall. 
wscntfy.exe can be disabled by going to "Services" and disabling Security Center (this is not recommented).
This service doesn't exists in Windows Vista or Windows 7! In this case "wscntfy.exe" could be the Rivarts trojan.

[Freeborn]

Windows xp SP2, how do i go to services?

[midget]

wscntfy.exe is the thingy that indicates that you have updates for XP.
Installing SP3 should fix it.

[Freeborn]

wscntfy.exe is the thingy that indicates that you have updates for XP.
Installing SP3 should fix it.

Cant..
 
Btw to install SP3, do i have to go into the boot and stuff?Or is it just like a setup of glory?

[9r2e5i3k]

Why would you want to kill wscntfy.exe anyway in the first place?
Better open the 'Security Center' and set your firewall to 'On' (or 'Unmonitored' if you're using a firewall other than the Windows one). Set your updates from 'Off' to 'Notify, but do not download or install automatically'. Set your anti-virus setting to 'Unmonitored' (though you should still use some anti-virus).

Windows xp SP2, how do i go to services?

Right click on 'My Computer' and select 'Manage'. Expand 'Services & Applications' and select 'Services'. Find the 'Automatic Updates' service, double-click it, 'Stop' the service and set launching from 'Automatic' to 'Off'.

Though I don't understand why would you do this.

Btw to install SP3, do i have to go into the boot and stuff?Or is it just like a setup of glory?

You can either download the redistributable package from Microsoft's site and install it like a driver/application, or install it as an update from Microsoft Update (works only with Internet Explorer). Either way you don't need to change boot settings or anything like that.