How to Enable or Disable Widget Announcements on Taskbar in Windows 11
Widget announcements on the Windows 11 taskbar show live news, weather updates, and sports scores right next to your Start button . These dynamic pop-ups let you check fast facts at a glance without opening the full Widgets panel, starting with Windows 11 build 25211.
You can turn off these live updates or switch to a static weather icon if the moving badges distract you. Changing this setting takes just a few clicks inside your Windows taskbar settings.
To enable or disable widget announcements on your Windows 11 taskbar, click the Widgets icon, then your profile icon in the settings , and toggle the “Show announcements” switch. This controls whether live updates appear on your taskbar .
Troubleshooting Widget Issues
Experiencing widget problems? If widgets fail to work correctly, a conflict with third-party taskbar mods or a glitch in the Windows Explorer process might be the cause. Third-party customization software like Windhawk often conflicts with the default widget board layout.
Restarting Windows Explorer
Frozen widgets often respond well to restarting the Windows Explorer shell (the graphical interface responsible for the taskbar and desktop) instead of a full system reboot.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager .
- Find Windows Explorer in the list.
- Right-click it and select Restart.
Taskbar Orientation and Alignment
Custom taskbar positions like a vertical layout can break widget announcements entirely. Windows 11 is built for a standard horizontal taskbar, and changing its look interferes with how the widget icon animations work.
Summary
Managing widget announcements in Windows 11 requires understanding that widget rotation is actually a feature called ‘Show announcements.’ Troubleshooting UI bugs involves restarting Windows Explorer and identifying why third-party taskbar mods often interfere with default widget behavior.
Why is my widget icon not rotating on a vertical taskbar?
Windows 11 is natively designed for a horizontal taskbar. When users employ third-party mods to force a vertical taskbar, the widget board layout often breaks. This prevents the widget icon animation from working correctly because the system cannot calculate the right space for rotating announcements.
Are widget rotation issues caused by third-party mods?
Problems with Windows 11 widget rotation frequently happen because of third-party mods. Programs that change the Windows aesthetic interfere with the built-in widget board, stopping the 'Show announcements' feature from working or rotating correctly.
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Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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