The Action Center in Windows 11 (the panel that slides out from the right side of the screen when you click the clock or press Windows Key + A) provides quick access to volume sliders, Wi-Fi networks, and incoming notifications. However, in secure enterprise environments, computer labs, or dedicated kiosk machines, you may not want users accessing these quick settings.
If you are running Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can completely disable the Action Center using the Local Group Policy Editor.
How to Disable the Action Center via Group Policy
Once this policy is applied, clicking the network or volume icons on the taskbar will do absolutely nothing, and the Windows Key + A shortcut will be deactivated.
- Click the Start button, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
- In the left-hand navigation pane, follow this exact path: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
- Once you have clicked on the Start Menu and Taskbar folder, look at the right side of the window for a long list of policies.
- Scroll down and locate the policy named Remove Notifications and Action Center.
- Double-click on Remove Notifications and Action Center to open its settings window.
- Change the configuration from “Not Configured” to Enabled.
- Note: Enabling this “Remove” policy means you are actively turning the Action Center off.
- Click Apply, then click OK.
Apply the Policy
For the policy to take effect, you must restart the Windows Explorer process.
- Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- Locate Windows Explorer in the list of processes.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
The taskbar will briefly disappear and reload. When it returns, the Action Center will be completely locked out. If you ever need to restore access, simply return to the Group Policy Editor and change the setting back to “Not Configured.”