By default, the Windows 11 lock screen displays a network icon in the bottom-right corner. This allows anyone who walks up to your locked computer to click the icon, view all available Wi-Fi networks in the area, and disconnect your PC from its current network or connect it to a malicious hotspot—all without needing your password to log in.
In a public environment, an office, or a dorm room, this is a significant security flaw. An unauthorized person could easily sever your PC’s connection to your home network, instantly killing any remote desktop sessions, background downloads, or server tasks you left running. To secure your PC’s network state, you can completely remove the network icon from the lock screen.
How to Remove the Network Icon from the Windows 11 Lock Screen
You must use the Windows Registry Editor to hide the network flyout on the login screen.
- Click the Start button, type Registry Editor, and press Enter. (Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control).
- In the address bar at the top of the Registry Editor, copy and paste the following path and press Enter:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System - Ensure the System folder is highlighted on the left. (If the “System” folder doesn’t exist under Windows, right-click “Windows”, select New > Key, and name it “System”).
- Right-click in the empty space in the right pane, select New, and click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name this new value exactly: DontDisplayNetworkSelectionUI
- Double-click your new
DontDisplayNetworkSelectionUIvalue and change the “Value data” from 0 to 1. - Click OK. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
The next time your PC boots up or locks, look at the bottom right corner of the screen. The Wi-Fi/Ethernet globe icon will be completely gone. No one will be able to alter your PC’s network connection state without first authenticating with your password or PIN.