Can I disable netrw loading in setup or config functions?

[ghost]

Background:
Install the nvim-tree using packer.
Question:
Can I disable netrw loading in setup or config functions?
For example:

return require('packer').startup(function(use)
  -- Packer can manage itself
  use 'wbthomason/packer.nvim'

  use {
    'nvim-tree/nvim-tree.lua',
    requires = {
      'nvim-tree/nvim-web-devicons', -- optional, for file icons
    },
    setup = function ()
      vim.g.loaded_netrw = 1
      vim.g.loaded_netrwPlugin = 1
    end,
    config = function() 
      require("nvim-tree").setup{}
    end 
    -- tag = 'nightly' -- optional, updated every week. (see issue #1193)
  }
}

[alex-courtis]

It's best to disable it before anything starts: those globals prevent the netrw plugin from loading, not from starting.

First line of your init.lua is the best place.

[ghost]

thx.