Here’s how to hide the Windows Security icon in the Windows 10 notification area:
Open local group policy editor.
Navigate to the Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Security > Systray.
Then double-click “Hide Windows Security Systray” in the right pane.
Select Enabled.
Hit the OK button.
Restart your PC.
That’s all.
Note: In order to view it, follow the steps above but select Not Configured or Disabled.
Alternate Methods
Method #1
Open Registry Editor. I suggest a Registry backup before continuing.
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows Defender Security Center > Systray.
If you can’t find Systray, create it. You can do that by right-clicking on the Windows Defender Security Center, and selecting New > Key. Hit the Enter key after typing Systray.
Right-click on the blank space in the right pane.
Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Enter HideSystray as a name and then press the Enter key.
Double-click it and enter 1 in the Value data field.
Hit the OK button.
Restart your PC.
That’s it.
Note: If you want to show it, follow the above steps but replace the 1 with 0 or remove the DWORD you created above.
Method #2
Go to the Startup tab in the Task Manager.
You should now see the Windows Security notification icon. Disable it.
Restart your computer.
Note: If you want to show it, follow the steps above but enable it.
Alternatively, you can do the same task using these steps:
Right-click on the Start button.
Hit Apps and Features.
Click on Startup on the left sidebar.
Turn off the Windows Security notification icon.
Restart your PC.
Note: To view it, follow the steps above but turn it on.
Method #3
Hit Select which icons appear on the taskbar.
Turn off the Windows Security notification icon.
Note: To view it, follow the steps above but turn it on.
