Privacy and Security Hide or Show Firewall and Network Protection page in Windows Security


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Firewall_and_network_protection_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to hide or show the Firewall & network protection page in Windows Security for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Windows Security provides built-in security options to help protect your device from malicious software attacks.

Firewall & network protection in Windows Security lets you view the status of Microsoft Defender Firewall and see what networks your device is connected to. You can turn Microsoft Defender Firewall on or off and access advanced Microsoft Defender Firewall options for the following network types:
  • Domain (workplace) networks
  • Private (discoverable) networks
  • Public (non-discoverable) networks
You can hide the Firewall & network protection area from users on the device. This option can be useful if you don't want users to see or have access to user-configured options for these features.

If you hide the Firewall & network protection section in Windows Security and try to directly open it (ex: command), you will get the Page not available error below.

Page_not_available.png

Reference:


You must be signed in as an administrator to hide or show the Firewall & network protection page in Windows Security.



Contents

  • Option One: Hide or Show Firewall and Network Protection page in Windows Security in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: Hide or Show Firewall and Network Protection page in Windows Security using REG file


EXAMPLE: "Firewall & network protection" page in Windows Security

Firewall_and_network_protection_Windows_Security.png





Option One

Hide or Show Firewall and Network Protection page in Windows Security in Local Group Policy Editor


The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Two 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 > Firewall and network protection

Firewall_and_network_protection_gpedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of Firewall and network protection in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Hide the Firewall and network protection area policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (show) or step 6 (hide) below for what you want.

5 Show "Firewall & network protection" page in Windows Security

This is the default setting.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.​

Firewall_and_network_protection_gpedit-2.png

6 Hide "Firewall & network protection" page in Windows Security

A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.​

Firewall_and_network_protection_gpedit-3.png

7 If Windows Security is currently open, then close and reopen Windows Security to apply.

8 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.




Option Two

Hide or Show Firewall and Network Protection page in Windows Security using REG file


1 Do step 2 (show) or step 3 (hide) below for what you would like to do.

2 Show "Firewall & network protection" page in Windows Security

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Show_Firewall_and_network_protection_page_in_Windows_Security.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Firewall and network protection]
"UILockdown"=-

3 Hide "Firewall & network protection" page in Windows Security

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Hide_Firewall_and_network_protection_page_in_Windows_Security.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Firewall and network protection]
"UILockdown"=dword:00000001

4 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


 

Attachments

  • Firewall_and_network_protection.png
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