How to hide or show Windows Security icon on Taskbar Windows 10

Windows Security application is a client interface on Windows 10 or later version 1703, making it easy for users to view and control security measures, understand the security features on Windows 10 device security.

Windows Defender Security Center has 7 device protection areas and allows users to set up how the device is protected:

1. Virus & threat protection : provides information and access to notifications and protection settings against ramsomware, viruses including access control features of the Windows Defender Exploit Guard and sign-in to Microsoft OneDrive.
2. Account protection : helps users easily protect identity when logging into Windows with a new Account Protection in Windows Defender Security Center. Account Protection will encourage users to password set Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint or PIN to login faster and will notify users to use the Dynamic key if the Dynamic lock stops working when the device or Bluetooth device is turned off.
3. Firewall & network protection : provide information and access to firewall settings including Windows Defender Firewall.
4. App & browser control : install Windows Defender SmartScreen and Exploit protection.
5. Device security : provides access to integrated device security settings.
6. Device performance & health : provides common driver information, storage space and Windows Update issues.
7. Family options : includes access to parental controls with tips and information to help children stay safe online.

This article will guide you how to hide or show Windows Security notification icon on the Taskbar for all accounts on Windows 10.

Below is the Windows Security icon on Taskbar.

When you hover over the icon, the notification will appear.

Right-click the Windows Security icon to display its context menu.

1. Hide or show Windows Security notification icon for current users in Taskbar settings

Step 1 . Change the notification area settings icon to Always show all icons in the notification area or turn on or turn off the Windows Security notification icon .

2. Hide or show the Windows Security notification icon for the current user in Startup settings

Note : If you disable the icon using this option, it will override option 1 above.

Step 1 . Open Settings and click on the Apps icon.

Step 2 . Click Startup on the left and turn on (default) or turn off Windows Security notification icon .

Step 3 . Close Settings.

Step 4 . Log out and log in to apply changes.

3. Hide or show the Windows Security notification icon for the current user in Task Manager

Note : If you disable the icon using this option, it will overwrite option 1 above.

Step 1 . Open Task Manager in More details view mode and click on the Startup tab.

Step 2 . Select the startup item Windows Security notification icon and enable (default) or disable to display or hide the icon.

Step 3 . Log out and log in to apply changes.

4. Turn on or turn off the Windows Security notification icon for all users in Local Group Policy Editor

Note : You need to log in as an administrator to be able to do this. This option is only available from Windows 10 version 1803. Local Group Policy Editor is only available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise and Education. All versions can use way 5 below.

Step 1 . Open Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2 . In the left pane of Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following location.

 Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsWindows SecuritySystray 

Step 3 . In the right pane of Systray in Local Group Policy Editor, double click on Hide Windows Security Systray policy to edit.

Step 4 . Follow step 5 (displayed) or step 6 (hidden).

Step 5 . To activate the Windows Defender notification icon for all users, select Not Configured or Disabled , click OK and go to Step 7.

Note : Not Configured is the default setting.

Step 6 . To disable the Windows Security notification icon for all users, select Enabled and click OK .

Step 7 . When done, close Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 8. Restart the computer to apply the change.

5. Enable and disable Windows Security notification icon for all users using REG files.

Note : You must log in as an admin to do this. This option is only available from Windows 10 version 1803. The .reg file below will add and edit the DWORD value in the registry key below.

 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security CenterSystray 

HideSystray DWORD

0 or delete = Enable

1 = Disable

Step 1 . Follow Step 2 or Step 3 to enable or disable the Windows Security notification icon.

Step 2 . To activate the Windows Security notification icon for all users, download the file below and go to Step 4.

Note: This setting is the default.

 https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/244197d1566583798-hide-show-windows-security-notification-area-icon-windows-10-a-enable_windows_security_notification_icon_for_all_users.reg 

Step 3 . To disable the Windows Security notification icon for all users, download the file below.

 https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/191329d1528313959-hide-show-windows-defender-notification-area-icon-windows-10-a-disable_windows_security_notification_icon_for_all_users.reg 

Step 4 . Save the .reg file to the desktop.

Step 5 . Double click the .reg file to merge it.

Step 6 . When notified, click Run , OK (UAC), Yes and OK to agree to merge.

Step 7 . Restart the computer to apply changes.

Step 8 . If you want, you can delete the .reg file

I wish you all success!