How to Add or Remove Widgets on Windows 11 Taskbar

Widgets are small information boxes that show you live updates. They display news, weather, stocks, and traffic information right on your Windows 11 taskbar. Why use them? They give you quick information without opening new apps. What happens when you add them? You see real-time updates at a glance.

You can open widgets by clicking the widget icon on your taskbar. You can also swipe from the left on a touch screen or press the Windows + W keys on your keyboard.

If you don’t want widgets on your taskbar, follow the steps below to turn them off.

Remove Widgets from Windows 11 Taskbar

Windows 11 adds a widget icon to your taskbar by default. You can customize what information the widgets show you. Here’s how to turn off widgets in Windows 11.

Step 1: Open the Settings App

Click the Start menu and select Settings. Or use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I to open the Windows Settings app directly.

Step 2: Go to Taskbar Settings

When Settings opens, click Personalization on the left side. Then select the Taskbar option on the right to expand it.

Step 3: Turn Off Widgets

On the Personalization > Taskbar page, look for “Taskbar items.” Click on the Widgets tile. Then toggle the switch to the Off position to disable widgets.

Turn Widgets On or Off Using the Registry

⚠️ Admin privileges required for this method

Advanced users can also control widgets through the Windows 11 registry. Why use the registry? It gives you more control. What happens? You can add or remove widgets with a simple value change.

Use Windows search to find regedit.

When the registry editor opens, navigate to this path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\TaskbarDa

Double-click the REG_DWORD entry to open it. Then change the value data to add or remove widgets from your taskbar.

Use these values:

• 0 = Remove widgets
• 1 = Add widgets

That’s it! Your changes take effect immediately.

Summary

Windows 11 widgets give you quick access to live information like weather, news, and traffic. You can easily turn them on or off through the Settings app. Advanced users can also manage widgets through the Windows registry for more control. Choose the method that works best for you to customize your taskbar and improve your user experience.