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windows-itpro-docs/windows/security/operating-system-security/system-security/windows-defender-security-center/wdsc-firewall-network-protection.md
2023-08-11 12:16:21 -04:00

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---
title: Firewall and network protection in Windows Security
description: Use the Firewall & network protection section to see the status of and make changes to firewalls and network connections for the machine.
ms.date: 08/11/2023
ms.topic: article
---
# Firewall and network protection
The **Firewall & network protection** section contains information about the firewalls and network connections used by the machine, including the status of Windows Defender Firewall and any other third-party firewalls. IT administrators and IT pros can get configuration guidance from the [Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security documentation library](../../network-security/windows-firewall/windows-firewall-with-advanced-security.md).
This section can be hidden from users of the machine. This information is useful if you don't want employees in your organization to see or have access to user-configured options for the features shown in the section.
## Hide the Firewall & network protection section
You can choose to hide the entire section by using Group Policy. The section won't appear on the home page of **Windows Security**, and its icon won't be shown on the navigation bar on the side.
This section can be hidden only by using Group Policy.
> [!IMPORTANT]
> You must have Windows 10, version 1709 or later. The ADMX/ADML template files for earlier versions of Windows do not include these Group Policy settings.
1. On your Group Policy management machine, open the Group Policy Management Console, right-click the Group Policy Object you want to configure and select **Edit**.
1. In **Group Policy Management Editor**, go to **Computer configuration** and select **Administrative templates**.
1. Expand the tree to **Windows components > Windows Security > Firewall and network protection**.
1. Open the **Hide the Firewall and network protection area** setting and set it to **Enabled**. Select **OK**.
1. Deploy the updated GPO as you normally do.
> [!NOTE]
> If you hide all sections then **Windows Security** will show a restricted interface, as in the following screenshot:
>
> ![Screenshot of the Windows Security with all sections hidden by Group Policy.](images/wdsc-all-hide.png)