We spend a lot of our time browsing the internet and using different applications on our Windows devices. So Microsoft has built-in App & Browser Control in Windows Security to protect users from potentially harmful downloads, websites, or files. Having this particular Windows security feature working in the background ensures you do not need to worry about encountering any malicious files on the internet.
There are several specific features included under App & Browser Control by Microsoft, making up for a secure browsing experience in Microsoft Edge. This a security feature from Microsoft, and some admins might want to hide this from other users. If you are the admin of a Windows system and you have multiple users accessing that system, then hiding this security feature will work in your favor. If you choose to hide the App & Browser Control section in the Windows security center, it won’t appear in the Windows Security Center window. So how can you do it? Let’s find out in this article.
How to hide App & Browser Control in Windows Security in Windows 10?
App & Browser Control lets users update and control the Windows Defender SmartScreen. It will protect your system against malicious apps, files, sites, and downloads. Additionally, you also have Exploit protection which provides additional protection to the system. When you open up the App & Browser Control section in Windows security, you see five sections: Check apps and files, SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge, SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps, Isolated browsing, and Exploit protection. This is not the only thing that is included in the Windows Security Center. We also have:
Virus & threat protection: It will monitor the system and check for any possible threats. It will run the malware scans from time to time, and it will also get updates regularly for detecting the new or latest threats.
Account protection: It allows users to protect their account information when they sign in to Microsoft. This provides added protection when it comes to setting up Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint, or PIN to log in to the device.
Firewall & Network Protection: It is a part of the Windows Security Center that maintains and manages the Windows Defender antivirus settings and keeps an eye on the connected network and internet connections.
Device Security: This section is for giving users an insight into the security features that are built into a Windows system. It will provide users the status report of the device’s security while managing the different security features for enhanced protection.
Device performance & health: It will provide useful information and status about the device’s performance and health. This will also take care of Windows updates to ensure that you have the latest build of Windows running on your computer.
Family options: These are like parental controls, and they will help parents manage their children’s online experiences. It will do so by monitoring the other Windows devices in the household giving more control over what the other household members can access.
To hide the App & Browser Control completely, you need to tweak a few things in your system. This section will stay hidden in the Windows security center window and it will stay hidden from everyone.
To hide this section of Windows Security Center, you need to use the Local Group Policy Editor.
Press Windows key + R, and it will open up the Run dialog box.
Enter “gpedit.msc” in the dialog box and click on Ok.
Using the left pane in the group policy editor, navigate to “Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Security > App and browser protection” in the local group policy editor window.
You will see the “Hide the App and browser protection area” policy in the right pane. Double click on it.
Set the toggle to “Enabled,” click on Apply and then click on Ok.
Then close the Local Group Policy Editor.
Now you can open up the Windows Security Center, and it won’t show the App & Browser Control tab in it.
If you want this section to show in your Windows Security center again, follow the steps mentioned below.
- Press Windows key + R, and it will open up the Run dialog box.
- Enter “gpedit.msc” in the dialog box and click on Ok.
- Using the left pane in the group policy editor, navigate to “Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Security > App and browser protection” in the local group policy editor window.
- You will see the “Hide the App and browser protection area” policy in the right pane. Double click on it.
- Set the toggle to “Disabled” or “Not Configured,” click on Apply and then click on Ok.
This is how you can hide the App & Browser Control in Windows Security Center. If you have any questions or queries about this article, then comment down below, and we will get back to you. Also, be sure to check out our other articles on iPhone tips and tricks, Android tips and tricks, PC tips and tricks, and much more for more useful information.
