Privacy and Security Enable or Disable Windows Security Virus and Threat Protection Notifications


Virus_and_threat_protection_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable non-critical virus & threat protection notifications from Windows Security for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

The Notifications page of Windows Security settings lets you configure what kind of notifications you want to receive.

The Virus & threat protection notifications below are purely informational and none of them require immediate action from you. You'll always receive notifications when there's a problem that requires immediate action. The settings on this page simply let you specify whether you want to know things such as that a threat was successfully blocked, or that a malware scan completed uneventfully.
  • Recent activity and scan results
  • Threats found, but no immediate action is needed
  • Files or activities are blocked
In some cases, it may not be appropriate to show these non-critical notifications, for example, if you want to hide regular status updates. You can hide notifications that describe regular events related to the health and security of the device. These notifications are the ones that don't require any action.

References:

Windows Security App Settings - Microsoft Support

Learn how to configure settings for the Windows Security app.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com
learn.microsoft.com

Hide notifications from Windows Security

Prevent Windows Security notifications from appearing on user endpoints
learn.microsoft.com


You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable Windows Security virus & threat protection notifications.



Contents

  • Option One: Turn On or Off Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications in Windows Security
  • Option Two: Turn On or Off Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications using REG file
  • Option Three: Enable or Disable Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Four: Enable or Disable Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications using REG file


EXAMPLE: "Recent activity and scan results" notification from Windows Security

Recent_activity_and_scan_results_notification.png





Option One

Turn On or Off Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications in Windows Security


1 Open Windows Security.

2 Click/tap on Settings. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Security_notifications-1.png

3 Click/tap on the Manage notifications link under Notifications. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Security_notifications-2.png

4 Perform one of the following actions you want: (see screenshots below)
  • Turn off Get informational notifications.
  • Turn on (default) Get informational notifications, and check (on - default) or uncheck (off) Recent activity and scan results, Threats found, but no immediate action is needed, and/or Files or activities are blocked.
Windows_Security_notifications-4.png
Windows_Security_notifications-3.png

5 If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes to approve.

6 You can now close Windows Security if you like.




Option Two

Turn On or Off Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications using REG file


1 Do step 2 (on - all), step 3 (off - all), or step 4 (on/off specific) below for what you would like to do.

2 Enable All Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications

This is the default setting


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

Enable_All_Virus_and_threat_protection_notifications.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications]
"DisableEnhancedNotifications"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Virus and threat protection]
"SummaryNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000000
"NoActionNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000000
"FilesBlockedNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000000

3 Disable All Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

Disable_All_Virus_and_threat_protection_notifications.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications]
"DisableEnhancedNotifications"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Virus and threat protection]
"SummaryNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000001
"NoActionNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000001
"FilesBlockedNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000001

4 Turn On or Off Specific Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications

A) Click/tap on the Download button below you want to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.​

 Turn On or Off "Recent activity and scan results" Notifications

Turn_ON_Recent_activity_and_scan_results_notifications.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications]
"DisableEnhancedNotifications"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Virus and threat protection]
"SummaryNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000000

OR​

Turn_OFF_Recent_activity_and_scan_results_notifications.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications]
"DisableEnhancedNotifications"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Virus and threat protection]
"SummaryNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000001


 Turn On or Off "Threats found, but no immediate action is needed" Notifications

Turn_ON_Threats_found_but_no_immediate_action_is_needed_notifications.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications]
"DisableEnhancedNotifications"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Virus and threat protection]
"NoActionNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000000

OR​

Turn_OFF_Threats_found_but_no_immediate_action_is_needed_notifications.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications]
"DisableEnhancedNotifications"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Virus and threat protection]
"NoActionNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000001


 Turn On or Off "Files or activities are blocked" Notifications

Turn_ON_Files_or_activities_are_blocked_notifications.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications]
"DisableEnhancedNotifications"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Virus and threat protection]
"FilesBlockedNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000000

OR​

Turn_OFF_Files_or_activities_are_blocked_notifications.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications]
"DisableEnhancedNotifications"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Virus and threat protection]
"FilesBlockedNotificationDisabled"=dword:00000001

5 Save the REG file to your desktop.

6 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.

7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.




Option Three

Enable or Disable Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications in Local Group Policy Editor


The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Four for the same policy.


1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Security > Notifications​

Windows_Security_notifications_gpedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of Notifications in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Hide non-critical notifications policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

5 Enable Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications

This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option Two.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below.​

Windows_Security_notifications_gpedit-2.png

6 Disable Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications

This will override and prevent using Option One and Option Two.


A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below.​

Windows_Security_notifications_gpedit-3.png

7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.




Option Four

Enable or Disable Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications using REG file


1 Do step 2 (always enable), step 3 (always disable), or step 4 (default) below for what you would like to do.


 2. Enable Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications

This is the default setting to allow using Option One and Option Two.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Enable_non-critical_notifications_from_Windows_Security.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications]
"DisableEnhancedNotifications"=-


 3. Disable Non-critical Virus and Threat Protection Notifications

This will override and prevent using Option One and Option Two.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Disable_non-critical_notifications_from_Windows_Security.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Notifications]
"DisableEnhancedNotifications"=dword:00000001

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
I came here hoping to find a way to turn off the Get informational notifications in Windows Security. I did but I got more than I bargained for: Two methods that I can't tell the difference between in their end results.
What is the difference between turning the notifications off using Method 2 versus Method 4?
I understand that Method 4 controls whether Method 2 will work and 4.3, in effect, turns off Get informational notifications like 2.3 does.
Does Method 4 do anything else? Does it prevent even more notifications? If so, which ones?
Do both methods prevent the end user from making any changes?
Under what circumstances would I want to use one method instead of the other?
Method 4 looks to have a much smaller footprint.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
StonyCreeker said:
I came here hoping to find a way to turn off the Get informational notifications in Windows Security. I did but I got more than I bargained for: Two methods that I can't tell the difference between in their end results.
What is the difference between turning the notifications off using Method 2 versus Method 4?
I understand that Method 4 controls whether Method 2 will work and 4.3, in effect, turns off Get informational notifications like 2.3 does.
Does Method 4 do anything else? Does it prevent even more notifications? If so, which ones?
Do both methods prevent the end user from making any changes?
Under what circumstances would I want to use one method instead of the other?
Method 4 looks to have a much smaller footprint.
Click to expand...
Hello Stony, and welcome. :alien:

Option 1/2 is for the on/off setting.

Option 3/4 is for the enable/disable group policy that also prevents changing the settings in option 1/2.

It just depends on which method you prefer.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Brink said:
Hello Stony, and welcome. :alien:

Option 1/2 is for the on/off setting.

Option 3/4 is for the enable/disable group policy that also prevents changing the settings in option 1/2.

It just depends on which method you prefer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the amazing quick reply.

So Option 4 doesn't affect anything more than option 2 does? In the end the exact same things are disabled and left enabled, yes?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
StonyCreeker said:
Thanks for the amazing quick reply.

So Option 4 doesn't affect anything more than option 2 does? In the end the exact same things are disabled and left enabled, yes?
Click to expand...
In the end it's basically for the same purpose.

Option 4 will also disable the ability to toggle on/off in option 1/2.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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