The Windows Security app is a built-in application that comes with Windows 11. It provides a centralized dashboard to see what’s happening with the security and health of your device and take any actions needed. The app has many sections that allow you to quickly see the status of your virus and threat protection, firewall and network security, device security controls, and more. This section provides information and settings for antivirus protection from Microsoft Defender Antivirus and third-party AV products. If have configured your device’s security settings to suit your environment and you don’t want others to change or mess with these settings, you can hide these sections from users. On the other hand, if these sections are hidden and you want to show them again, you can use the guide below.
How to display or hide virus and threat protection section with Windows Security app in Windows 11
As described above, the Virus and threat protection section provide information and settings for antivirus protection from Microsoft Defender Antivirus and third-party AV products. Below is how to hide or show the Virus & Threat protection section in Windows Security app in Windows 11. First, open Local Group Policy Editor by clicking on the Start Menu and searching for Edit group policy as highlighted below. Under Best match, select Edit group policy to launch Local Group Policy Editor. In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, expand the tree: In the Virus and threat protection details pane on the right, locate and double-click the setting that says “Hide the Virus and threat protection area“. On the Hide the Virus and threat protection area window set the option to Not Configure, Enabled, or Disabled.
Not Configured (default) Enabled – The Virus and threat protection area will be hidden. Disabled – The Virus and threat protection area will be shown.
Display or hide the Virus & threat protection section in Windows Security via Windows Registry
If you can’t open the Local Group Policy Editor, you can use the Windows Registry instead. Open the Windows Registry, and navigate to the folder key path as listed below. If you don’t see the Windows Defender Security Center -> Virus and threat protection folder key, simply right-click on the Windows key, then create both key folders. On the right pane of the Virus and threat protection folder key, right-click and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type a new key named UILockdown. Double-click the new key and enter the Value data as 0 to show the Virus and threat protection section in Windows Security app. A Value data of 1 will hide the Virus and threat protection section in the Windows Security app. Restart your computer and the Virus and threat protection section will be hidden or will be displayed. That should do it! Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-security-center/wdsc-virus-threat-protection Conclusion: This post showed you how to show or hide the Virus and threat protection section in Windows Security app in Windows 11. If you find any error above or have something to add, please use the comment form below.
