How to Sign In and Out of Widgets on Windows 11

Windows Widgets are a cool way to see quick updates. You can get news, weather, stock prices, and more, right from your taskbar. They are like small windows showing information you care about. You don’t need to open a whole app. To make sure Widgets show you what you want, you might need to sign in or out. This tells Windows which Microsoft account to use for your Widgets. Let’s learn how to do this.

Signing Out of Widgets

Sometimes, you might want to disconnect your Widgets from your Microsoft account. Maybe you are using a computer that others use. You don’t want your personal stuff to show. Or maybe you want to use a different account for Widgets. Signing out is easy.

1. Open the Widgets board. Click the Widgets icon on your taskbar. Or, press Windows key + W on your keyboard. The Widgets board will slide out from the left.
   
2. Find your user account button. Look for a button, usually in the top-left corner. It might show your picture or initials. Click this button.
   

   Tip: If you don’t see your picture, it might show your name or a generic icon. Clicking it is how you get to your account settings in Widgets.

3. Select “Sign Out”. A menu will show up after you click your account button. Look for “Sign Out” and click it.
   

   Warning: Signing out will reset your Widgets board to how it was when you first got it. Any Widgets you added might disappear. The content will not be picked just for you anymore.

After you sign out, the Widgets board will look more basic. It will ask you to sign in again to make it personal. This is good for keeping your information private when needed.

Signing In to Widgets (or Switching Accounts)

If you signed out, or if you are starting with Widgets for the first time, you need to sign in. Signing in with your Microsoft account lets Widgets show you news you like, your calendar events, and other useful things. You can also use this to switch to another Microsoft account if you have more than one.

1. Open the Widgets board. Click the Widgets icon on your taskbar or press Windows key + W.
   
2. Look for the “Sign in” option. When you open Widgets after signing out, or if you have never signed in, you will likely see a “Sign in” button. Or, there might be a message at the top asking you to sign in.
   

   Tip: If you signed out and want to use the same account, you might see your picture or name again. Clicking it might let you sign back in. If you want to use a different account, look for something like “Sign in with a different account”.

3. Choose your account. A box will ask you to sign in with your Microsoft account. You might see a list of accounts already on your PC. Pick the one you want to use for Widgets.
   

   Practical Tip: Make sure you sign in with the Microsoft account that has your favorite settings and subscriptions. This helps Widgets know what content is best for you.

4. Enter your details. If asked, type your Microsoft account password. Or, use other ways to prove it’s you, like a PIN or Windows Hello. Follow the steps on the screen to finish signing in.
   

   Warning: Be careful when you type your login details. Always check that you are on a real Microsoft sign-in page. This stops you from falling for scams. If you are not sure, close Widgets and go to the official Microsoft website to sign in there.

Once you sign in, the Widgets board will update. It will start showing things picked just for you. This could be news, weather for your area, and other information based on what you like and have done before.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/stay-up-to-date-with-widgets-in-windows-7ba79aaa-dac6-4687-b460-ad16a06be6e4

Summary

Signing out of Widgets helps keep your information private, especially on shared computers. It resets the board to a basic view. Signing in uses your Microsoft account to show you personalized content. You can sign out by clicking your profile picture in the Widgets board and choosing “Sign Out”. You can sign in by clicking the Widgets icon and then the “Sign in” button, and entering your Microsoft account details. This process allows you to control your Widgets experience and ensure it shows you what you want, when you want.