Does anybody know how to turn off the automatic balloon? I find it very annoying to keep getting security alerts that there are available updates . I don't use it and it just bothers me. How do I get it off the taskbar(near the clock) so that it is out of the way?

A quick google search brought this up: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind... Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

Go to control panel click on system then automatic updates and then turn off.

http://dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc... Are you referring to those XP balloon tips that pop up down by the clock? If so, then this is the easiest way to get rid of them... just run this simple script from Doug Knox. I'm not certain exactly what balloon notifications you are talking about though... so you'll need to decide which one pertains to your scenario.

Thanks for the geeks.com tip I don't get any more messages althought the shield is still inthe systray...minor thanksalot

I think the shield is just letting you know that windows updates are available. If you want to remove that, start/control panel/security center and click on change the way security center alerts me. You can uncheck it there. HTH you're welcome, thanks for posting back! Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

or you could right-click an empty area of your Taskbar, choose Properties, Taskbar Tab, Customize, under either Current or Past Items find the little yellow Installing Updates Shield icon from the list, click on the shield, and on the right of that you have a choice of either "Hide When Inactive" or "Always Show" or "ALWAYS HIDE". voila !! :) Rob, Central Coast NSW Australia