How to Enable or Disable Firewall & Network Protection in Windows 11 Security app

This guide explains how to hide or show the Windows Security app Firewall & Network Protection area in Windows 11. The Windows Security app is a built-in tool that shows your computer’s health and security status. It includes a section for virus and threat protection, which helps you manage who can access your network. You can also use this area to turn on or off Microsoft Defender Firewall.

Why hide this section?

If you have already set up your security exactly how you want it, you might want to hide these settings so other people cannot change them.

What happens when you are done?

Once you finish these steps, the Firewall & Network Protection section will either disappear from the Windows Security app or reappear, depending on the setting you chose.

Method 1: Using Local Group Policy Editor

Note: This method requires administrator privileges.

First, open Local Group Policy Editor by clicking the Start Menu and searching for “Edit group policy.”

In the window that opens, follow this path on the left side:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Security > Firewall and network protection

On the right side, double-click the item labeled “Hide the Firewall and network protection area.”

Choose your setting in the window that appears:

• Not Configured: This is the default setting.
• Enabled: This hides the Firewall and network protection area.
• Disabled: This shows the Firewall and network protection area.

Method 2: Using the Windows Registry

Note: This method requires administrator privileges.

If you cannot use the Group Policy Editor, you can use the Windows Registry instead. Open the Windows Registry and go to this path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Firewall and network protection

If you do not see the “Firewall and network protection” folder, right-click the “Windows Defender Security Center” folder to create the missing keys. Right-click in the empty space on the right, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it UILockdown.

Double-click UILockdown and change the value data:

• Enter 0 to show the section in Windows Security app.
• Enter 1 to hide the section.

Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Summary

The Firewall & Network Protection section is vital for network safety. If you need to restrict access to these settings to prevent unauthorized changes, you can hide the menu using the Local Group Policy Editor or the Windows Registry. Following these steps ensures your security configuration remains exactly as you intended.

Reference: Microsoft.com