Greetings from one that is not a Geek-a-zoid or even a computer repairerer.
Just to inform you this is NOT an advertisement, I too am running Win7 64bit on a Dell Inspiron 531s but using Windows Firewall default settings as I have not attempted to make any changes, seems to work just fine without me messing with it. Now on Avast!6 but not using the WebRep or SandBoxie. Most all settings are default except for the PUPs. Have not attempted the SP1 install for Win7 just yet, from the reports I have read it is just the same-o-same of all updates to now. I am awaiting some better reports on this SP1 before I do my install.
Have found it best for us novices to wait a little bit and see if there are any kinks and if Microsoft will work them out ASAP. Of all the AV softwares and various other scanners and removers I have found Avast! 5 and 6 seem to work just fine with several other spyware, malware, what other names are used and if you feel comfortable with the pair of shoes you have keep them, the same goes for the software you are using. If it works don't fix it or mess it up.
That is my $0.01.5 worth,
When you're right, you're right, but service packs aren't to be compared with a nice pair of shoes.
While you can wait a few weeks or a month before applying them (even that is a stretch) it's best to get updates installed as soon as possible. If you have some other software that doesn't work because of it, it's probably because they're either A) Lazy or B)Poorly coded.
Either way, you should remove or not use THAT software, but windows updates should not be ignored.
I hear people complain all the time that this update broke this, or that update broke that, but the simple fact is that the update patched something that was broken, and the software that is now broken because of said update, was flawed to begin with.
If you want to have a secure and stable computer, it's in your best interest to keep up with patches. 'Nuff said.