How To Hide or Remove Windows Security Icon on Taskbar in Windows 11

Learn two simple methods to quickly remove the Windows Security icon from the taskbar in Windows 11.

On Windows 11, Windows Security (formerly, Windows Defender) is the default antivirus. Whether it is running in the background or not, you will see the Windows Security Notification icon on the taskbar’s system tray. This icon notifies you of any security events and lets you access the Windows Security app quickly. For example, if everything on your system is good, needs your attention, or something is wrong, you will see a green checkmark, a yellow caution mark, or an “X” icon overlay on top of the Windows Security icon, respectively.

While this icon is pretty helpful under certain circumstances, there might be situations where you don’t want it to appear. For example, you might be using another antivirus, have little space on your taskbar, etc. Whatever the reason, if you don’t want to, you can hide the Windows Security icon on the taskbar pretty easily.

In this quick and straightforward guide, I will show you two methods to hide or remove the Windows Security icon in the Windows 11 taskbar. Let’s get started.

Remove/Hide Windows Security Icon on Taskbar Using Settings

Like any other system icon, you can hide the Windows Security icon using the Taskbar options in the Settings app. Here’s how.

1. Press “Windows key + I” to open the Settings app.
2. Go to the “Personalization” > “Taskbar” page.
3. Click the “Other system tray icons” option.
4. Turn OFF the “Windows Security notification icon” toggle.
5. With that, the Windows Security icon is hidden or removed from the taskbar system tray.

Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)

First, we need to open the Taskbar settings. To do that, open the “Settings” app by pressing the “Windows key + I” shortcut. Once it opens, go to the “Personalization” tab on the sidebar and then click the “Taskbar” option on the right page.

Note: You can get to this same settings page by right-clicking on the taskbar and then selecting the “Taskbar settings” option.

On this page, click the “Other system tray icons” section to expand it. Next, find and then turn OFF the “Windows Security notification icon” toggle.

That is it. With that, the Windows Security notification icon is hidden or removed from the taskbar system tray.

Remove/Hide Windows Security Icon on Taskbar Using Task Manager

As an alternative, you can also remove the Windows Security icon in the taskbar by disabling it in the task manager’s startup list. The good thing is, it can improve (potentially) the system startup time. Here’s how.

1. Right-click the “Windows” icon on the taskbar.
2. Choose the “Task Manager” option.
3. Go to the “Startup apps” tab on the sidebar.
4. Find and select the “SecurityHealthSystray.exe” entry.
   • SecurityHealthSystray.exe icon is also called “Windows Security notification icon”.
5. Click the “Disable” button at the top.
6. With that, the Windows Security notification icon is disabled from startup.
7. Reboot your computer.
8. The Windows Security icon is hidden in the taskbar system tray.

Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)

To manage Windows 11 startup applications, we must open the Task Manager. To do that, right-click the “Windows” icon and then select the “Task Manager” option.

In the Task Manager window, go to the “Startup apps” tab in the sidebar. Next, find and select the “SecurityHealthSystray.exe” or “Windows Security notification icon” entry on the right panel.

Next, click the “Disable” button at the top.

Finally, close the Task Manager window and reboot your computer. After rebooting, the Windows Security notification icon is hidden in the taskbar.

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That is it. It is that simple to remove the Windows Security Notification Icon from the Windows 11 taskbar. If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I’ll be happy to assist.