Well dunno, I've been using internet connected computers since 1985 on the old 640k IBM PC disabling all the baggage that started appearing around W2k (WFP), XP's protection, and Win 7 (skipped Vista), and never yet had an infection. Yes I do use a firewall - currently Commodo (antivirus on demand scanning only).
Turning off Action Center Notifications is not a good idea. Not only will you not be notified if your AV or Firewall are turned off accidentally or due to infection, but Solutions sent to Problems (reported or not) will not be notified.
One earlier answer was along the lines: 'if they made it easy for the users to disable or/and hide action center, it would be easy for an infection to do so as well.'
Well guess what: it is easy for a user to both diasble and/or hide action center, it only takes a few clicks, not registry hacking or dll patching - it's built in, all it needs is knowing where to look.
So being so simple to diasble/hide, 'not hiding it' it will provide barely little extra safety from a determined well constructed attack.
In short: Please don't oversell the capabilities.
This is a new, perfectly balanced OS which doesn't need any of the old XPired tweaks and methods.
They've been telling us with every OS; you gain no mileage from quoting the sales literature.
OK, for the average user I never suggest they disable/tweak these or similar artifacts: apart from being unlikely to notice any gain they can indeed more easily get themselves into trouble and furthermore possibly invalidate any maintenance/warranties contracts in place. But for the power user, there are indeed real benefits to be made.
Same as motor cars, been around a lot longer than ms windows yes still today 'racers' are tweaking their rides - also against the advice of the manufacturer, dealers and most general motor mechanics. But they do get results, just like power users tweaking their 'puters. Most people (including myself) don't modify our cars, but some do.
Don't simply say it's wrong: It's a personal choice.
