This tutorial will show you how to hide or show the Virus & threat protection page in Windows Security for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Windows Security is built-in to Windows 10/11 and includes an antivirus program called Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Your device will be actively protected from the moment you start Windows 10/11. 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.
The Virus & threat protection section in Windows Security contains information and settings for antivirus protection from Microsoft Defender Antivirus and third-party AV products. This section also contains information and settings for ransomware protection and recovery. These settings include Controlled folder access settings to prevent unknown apps from changing files in protected folders, plus Microsoft OneDrive configuration to help you recover from a ransomware attack. This area also notifies users and provides recovery instructions if there's a ransomware attack.
You can hide the Virus & threat protection section or the Ransomware data recovery 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 Virus & threat protection section in Windows Security and try to directly open it (ex: command), you will get the Page not available error below.
Reference:
Virus and threat protection in Windows Security - Windows Security
Use the Virus & threat protection section to see and configure Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Controlled folder access, and 3rd-party AV products.
learn.microsoft.com
You must be signed in as an administrator to hide or show the Virus & threat protection page in Windows Security.
Contents
- Option One: Hide or Show Virus and Threat Protection page in Windows Security in Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Hide or Show Virus and Threat Protection page in Windows Security using REG file
EXAMPLE: "Virus & threat protection" page in Windows Security
Hide or Show Virus and Threat 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 > Virus and threat protection
3 In the right pane of Virus and threat protection in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Hide the Virus and threat 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 "Virus & threat 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.
6 Hide "Virus & threat protection" page in Windows Security
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7.
7 If Windows Security is currently open, then close and reopen Windows Security to apply.
8 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
1 Do step 2 (show) or step 3 (hide) below for what you would like to do.
2 Show "Virus & threat 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_Virus_and_threat_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\Virus and threat protection]
"UILockdown"=-3 Hide "Virus & threat 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_Virus_and_threat_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\Virus and threat protection]
"UILockdown"=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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