Hide Network Icon on Windows Lock Screen via Registry

This guide explains how to control the network connectivity status and selection icon on the Windows lock screen using the Windows Registry. By modifying a specific DWORD value, administrators can prevent unauthorized users from viewing network status or connecting to different Wi-Fi networks before logging into the system.

The Target Registry Value

The registry value that controls whether the network selection and connectivity status appears on the lock screen is DontDisplayNetworkSelectionUI.

• Registry Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
• Value Name: DontDisplayNetworkSelectionUI
• Value Type: REG_DWORD (32-bit Value)
• Value Data:
  • 1 = Hides the network status and disables the network flyout on the lock screen.
  • 0 = Displays the network status and allows network selection on the lock screen (Windows default behavior).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.

2. In the left sidebar, navigate to the following path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

3. If the System key does not exist under Windows, right-click on the Windows folder, select New > Key, and name it System.

4. Right-click on an empty space in the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it:

   DontDisplayNetworkSelectionUI

5. Double-click the newly created DontDisplayNetworkSelectionUI entry:

   • Set the Value data to 1 to hide network connectivity options.
   • Set the Value data to 0 (or delete the entry) to restore the default network display.

6. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.

7. Restart your computer or lock the screen (Windows Key + L) to apply the changes.