How to manage notifications for Windows Security features on Windows 10

How-to
By Mauro Huculak
last updated

You can enable, customize, and disable notifications for Microsoft Defender features and account protection, and in this guide, we'll show you how to complete the task.

Windows Security Notification Settings on Windows 10
Windows Security Notification Settings on Windows 10 (Image credit: Windows Central)

On Windows 10, the Windows Security app can push notifications for various security features to alert you about malware detections and other threats detected by the Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Also, the app can send alerts if an app is getting blocked by the Microsoft Defender Firewall, and when the system is having problems protecting your account.

However, if you don't find these alerts useful, because you're using other security solutions, or you proactively check the app to monitor the health and security of the device, you can always disable these notifications or customize the settings to get notified only on specific activities. You just need to know where to find the settings, since they're not available through the "Notifications & actions" page.

Also, if you're not getting any notifications from the Windows Security app, you can always confirm and enable alerts for the built-in antivirus, firewall, and account protection features on Windows 10.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to manage notifications for the default antivirus, firewall, and account protection through Windows Security.

How to enable or disable notifications for Microsoft Defender Antivirus

To adjust the antivirus notification settings on Windows 10, use these steps:

  1. Open Windows Security.
  2. Click on Settings (at the bottom of the page).
  3. Under the "Notifications" section, click the Manage notifications option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "Virus & threat protection notifications" section, turn on or off the Get informational notifications toggle switch to enable or disable all notifications.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. (Optional) If you only want specific alerts, check the options you want to see:
    • Recent activity and scan results.
    • Threats found, but no immediate action is needed.
    • File or activities are blocked.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Once you complete the steps, you'll see notifications for Microsoft Defender Antivirus, depending on your configuration.

If you decided to disable these kinds of alerts, you can always use these instructions to check if the antivirus has detected any malware that may require your attention.

How to enable or disable notifications for account protection

To enable or disable notifications for Windows Hello and Dynamic lock, use these steps:

  1. Open Windows Security.
  2. Click on Settings (at the bottom of the page).
  3. Under the "Notifications" section, click the Manage notifications option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "Account protection notifications" section, turn on or off the Get account protection notifications toggle switch to enable or disable all notifications.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. (Optional) If you only want specific alerts, then check the options you want to see:
    • Problems with Windows Hello.
    • Problems with Dynamic lock.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

After you complete the steps, notifications for problems with Windows Hello and Dynamic lock will appear in the Action center according to your settings selections.

If you disabled all the notifications, you can always check the "Account protection" page in Windows Security for issues that may require your attention.

How to enable or disable notifications for Microsoft Defender Firewall

To change notifications settings for the firewall activities, use these steps:

  1. Open Windows Security.
  2. Click on Settings (at the bottom of the page).
  3. Under the "Notifications" section, click the Manage notifications option.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. Under the "Firewall & network protection notifications" section, turn on or off the Notify me when Microsoft Defender Firewall blocks a new app toggle switch to enable or disable all notifications.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
  1. (Optional) If you only want to see notifications for activities on a specific network, leave the toggle switch on, and then clear the options you don't want:
    • Domain firewall.
    • Private firewall.
    • Public firewall.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Once you complete the steps, alters for apps getting blocked through the firewall will appear depending on your settings. You can always determine if the program is getting blocked on Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through the firewall. The app getting blocked will have the Private and Public options unchecked.

Mauro Huculak
Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.