How to Hide or Show Firewall and Network Protection in Windows Security

Security settings in Windows are designed to protect your device and data from threats — and that’s exactly the goal of Windows Security. Under Windows Security, users will find the Firewall and Network Protection settings. This allows users to view and manage firewall settings for domain, private, and public profiles. It also offers other security-related settings such as network diagnostics, advanced firewall configurations, and Windows Defender Firewall.

While this setting plays a vital role in maintaining system security, some prefer to disable it. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to configure Firewall and Network Protection in Windows 10 and 11 using the built-in Windows Security settings.

How to hide Firewall & Network Protection in Windows Security

Method 1: Using Group Policy Editor (Windows 10 Pro & Enterprise)

1. To open the Group Policy Editor, press the Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Security > Firewall & Network Protection
3. Double-click “Hide the Firewall & Network Protection area”.
4. Select Enabled, then click Apply and OK.
5. Restart the computer to apply the changes.

Method 2: Using the Registry Editor (Windows 10 Home & other editions)

1. To open the Registry Editor, press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Firewall and network protection
3. Right-click on the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it UILockdown.
4. Set its value to 1.
5. Restart your system for the changes to take effect.

How to restore Firewall & Network Protection if hidden

Method 1: Using Group Policy Editor (Windows 10 Pro & Enterprise)

1. To open the Group Policy Editor, press the Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Security > Firewall & Network Protection
3. Double-click “Hide the Firewall & Network Protection area”.
4. Set it to Not Configured or Disabled.
5. Click Apply, then OK, and restart your computer.

Method 2: Using the Registry Editor (Windows 10 Home & other editions)

1. To open the Registry Editor, press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Firewall and network protection
3. Find the UILockdown entry.
4. Set its value to 0 or delete the key entirely.
5. Restart your system for the changes to take effect.
6. If changes do not take effect immediately, restart the computer or use Task Manager to restart Windows Security.

Why hide the Firewall & Network Protection section?

There are controlled environments that prohibit users from making changes to firewall settings. Here are some benefits of hiding Firewall & Network Protection:

• Prevents unauthorized access and changes to firewall settings that could compromise system security.
• Helps IT administrators manage multiple systems in an organization.
• Restricts user access from unintentionally changing critical system configurations to maintain system security.

Who should consider hiding this section?

It is advisable for certain groups or organizations to hide the Firewall & Network Protection section. These groups may include:

• Businesses and IT administrators enforce security policies.
• Parents or guardians restricting changes on a family computer.
• Users who want a cleaner Windows Security interface with fewer distractions.

Troubleshooting common issues

Windows security still shows Firewall & Network Protection after hiding it

There are some instances when the Firewall & Network Protection is still present after hiding the section. Here’s how you can potentially solve the issue:

1. Ensure changes were applied correctly in Group Policy or Registry Editor. To access these configurations, follow the “How to hide Firewall & Network Protection in Windows Security” guide above.
2. Meanwhile, you can restart the system to refresh Windows Security settings. This is important, especially after changing the Firewall & Network Protection settings.

Error editing Group Policy or Registry

There are times when you encounter errors when configuring Firewall & Network Protection settings using Group Policy or Registry Editor. Here’s how you can address the problem:

1. Run Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor as an administrator.
2. Check if system policies prevent modifications.

Firewall still active even after hiding the section

If unfamiliar with the settings, users may notice that the Firewall is still active even after hiding the section. You must remember that hiding the section only removes it from Windows Security; the firewall remains active unless manually disabled.

Firewall and Network Protection FAQs

Will hiding the Firewall & Network Protection section disable Windows Firewall?

No. As mentioned above, hiding the Firewall & Network Protection section only removes it from Windows Security. You need to manually disable Windows Firewall if you want it turned off.

How can I prevent users from changing Windows Security settings?

Group Policy is a reliable way to prevent users from changing Windows Security settings. Users can also leverage third-party endpoint management tools like NinjaOne to enforce restrictions.

Does this method work on Windows 11?

Yes. While some interface paths may differ slightly, similar methods work on Windows 11.

Can I still access firewall settings through other methods?

Yes. Aside from Group Policy Editor and Registry Editor, users can also access Firewall Settings through:

• Control Panel: On Windows, you can open the Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall
• Settings App: In Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection
• Command Prompt or PowerShell

What happens if I disable Windows Defender along with hiding this section?

Disabling Windows Defender and hiding this section removes your default protection. It’s strongly recommended that an alternative firewall/antivirus solution be put in place.

Need help setting up your firewall? Watch what is a firewall configuration? How to set up your firewall now.

Hiding the Firewall & Network Protection section

Hiding the Firewall & Network Protection section can help IT administrators, parents, or users who want to limit access to firewall settings. Depending on the Windows 10 edition in use, Group Policy and the Registry Editor provide two effective methods to achieve this.

Keep in mind that even after hiding this section, the firewall remains active, ensuring security is maintained unless manually turned off. If needed, the section can be restored easily by reversing the changes in the Group Policy or the Registry. You can balance security and control with the right approach while keeping your system configuration streamlined.