This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the Windows Security notification icon on the taskbar for your account or all users in Windows 11.
Windows Security is built-in to Windows 11 and includes an antivirus program called Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Your device will be actively protected from the moment you start Windows 11. Windows Security continually scans for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats. In addition to this real-time protection, updates are downloaded automatically to help keep your device safe and protect it from threats.
Windows Security is your home to view and manage the security and health of your device.
The Windows Security notification icon shows on the taskbar system tray by default.
Contents
- Option One: Hide or Show Windows Security Notification Icon for Current User in Settings
- Option Two: Add or Remove Windows Security Notification Icon for Current User in Startup Apps
- Option Three: Enable or Disable Windows Security Notification Icon for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Four: Enable or Disable Windows Security Notification Icon for All Users using REG file
EXAMPLE: Windows Security notification icon on taskbar system tray
1 Open Settings (WIn+I).
2 Click/tap on Personalization on the left side, and click/tap on Taskbar on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Taskbar corner overflow or Other system tray icons (build 22572) on the right side to expand it open. (see screenshot below step 4)
4 Turn On (show - default) or Off (hide) Windows Security notification icon for what you want. (see screenshot below)
5 You can now close Settings if you like.
1 Open Settings (WIn+I).
2 Click/tap on Apps on the left side, and click/tap on Startup on the right side. (see screenshot below)
3 Turn On (add - default) or Off (remove) Windows Security notification icon for what you want. (see screenshot below)
On = Allows Option One to work.
Off = Removes the Windows Security notification icon, and overrides Option One.
4 Close Settings.
5 Either sign out and sign in or restart the computer to apply.
Enable or Disable Windows Security Notification Icon for All Users in Local Group Policy Editor
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Four to configure the same policy.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Security > Systray
3 In the right pane of Systray in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Hide Windows Security Systray policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.
5 Enable Windows Security Notification Icon for All Users
This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option Two.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)
6 Disable Windows Security Notification Icon for All Users
This will override Option One and Option Two.
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)
7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
8 Restart the computer to apply.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you want.
2 Enable Windows Security Notification Icon for All Users
This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option Two.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_Windows_Security_notification_icon_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Systray]
"HideSystray"=-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartupApproved\Run]
"SecurityHealth"=hex:06,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"SecurityHealth"=hex(2):25,00,77,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,69,00,72,00,25,00,5c,00,\
73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,53,00,65,00,63,00,75,\
00,72,00,69,00,74,00,79,00,48,00,65,00,61,00,6c,00,74,00,68,00,53,00,79,00,\
73,00,74,00,72,00,61,00,79,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,00,003 Disable Windows Security Notification Icon for All Users
This will override Option One and Option Two.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_Windows_Security_notification_icon_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Systray]
"HideSystray"=dword:000000014 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Restart the computer to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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