By Shawn Brink
Windows 10 version 1703 and later provides the latest antivirus protection with Windows Security, which contains Microsoft Defender Antivirus. When you start up Windows 10 for the first time, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is on and actively helping to protect your device by scanning for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus uses real-time protection to scan your downloads and the programs you run on your device. Also, Windows Update downloads updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus automatically to help keep your device safe and protect it from threats.
Windows Security shows you how Microsoft Defender Antivirus has been protecting you. It shows you when:
- Your device was last scanned for threats.
- Your definitions were last updated. Definitions are files that Microsoft Defender Antivirus uses to protect your device against the latest threats.
- The Device performance and health scan was run to ensure your device is operating efficiently.
Starting with Windows 10 17093, the Account protection and Device security protection areas have been added to the Windows Security.
Windows Security has seven areas that protect your device and let you specify how you want your device protected:
- Virus & threat protection – Monitor threats to your device, run scans, and get updates to help detect the latest threats. In Windows 10 version 1709, the section also provides configuration options for Controlled folder access.
- Account protection – Makes it easier for users to protect their identity when signing in to Windows with the new Account Protection pillar in Windows Security. Account Protection will encourage password users to set up Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint or PIN for faster sign in, and will notify Dynamic lock users if Dynamic lock has stopped working because their phone or device Bluetooth is off.
- Firewall & network protection – Manage the settings for Windows Defender Firewall, and monitor what’s happening with your networks and Internet connections.
- App & browser control – Lets you use Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to help protect your device against potentially dangerous apps, files, sites, and downloads. Also provides exploit protection where you can customize protection settings for your devices. In Windows 10 version 1709, the section also provides configuration options for Exploit protection.
- Device security – Gives you greater insight into the security features integrated in your Windows device. The Device Security page provides you with status reporting and management of security features built into your devices – including toggling features on to provide enhanced protections.
- Device performance & health – See status about your device’s performance health and keep your device clean and up to date with the latest version of Windows 10.
- Family options – Provides easy access to managing your childrens’ online experiences and the devices in your household.
Starting with Windows 10 version 1709, the Virus & threat protection area can be hidden from users of the PC. This can be useful if you don’t want them to see or have access to this area.
If you choose to hide the Virus & threat protection area, it will no longer appear on the home page of the Windows Defender Security Center app, and its icon will not be shown on the navigation bar on the side of the app.
This tutorial will show you how to hide or show the Virus and threat protection area in the Windows Security app for all users in Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to hide or show this area in the Windows Security.
Contents
- Option One: Hide or Show “Virus & threat protection” in Windows Security using Local Group Policy Editor
- Option Two: Hide or Show “Virus & threat protection” in Windows Security using a REG file
EXAMPLE: “Virus & threat protection” section in Windows Security
OPTION ONE
Hide or Show “Virus & threat protection” in Windows Security using Local Group Policy Editor
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option TWO below.
1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2 In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows components\Windows Defender Security Center\Virus and threat protection
OR
(Windows build 17661 and later)
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows components\Windows Security\Virus and threat protection
3 In the right pane of Virus and threat protection in 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 would like to do.
5 To Show “Virus & threat protection” in Windows Security
A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
Not Configured is the default setting.
To Hide “Virus & threat protection” in Windows Security
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
OPTION TWO
Hide or Show “Virus & threat protection” by modifying the registry keys
Modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Virus and threat protection
UILockdown DWORD
(delete) = Show
1 = Hide
Restart the computer to apply.
Ref: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/99493-hide-virus-threat-protection-windows-security-windows-10-a.html