Windows 11 Taskbar: What is the Widgets Feature
The Windows 11 Widgets feature is a pop-up board on your taskbar that shows live updates like weather, news, and sports scores. Microsoft introduced this panel in Windows 11 build 22000 so you can check daily information without opening a web browser or separate apps.
Open the board by clicking the weather button on the bottom left of your screen, or by pressing the Win+W on your keyboard. You cannot pin regular desktop apps to the board, but you can add or remove news topics and change how much space each card takes up.
Windows 11 Widgets is a panel on your taskbar offering personalized information like news and weather. Click the Widgets icon on the left of the taskbar or press Win+W to open it. You can add or remove widgets to customize the content.
What Are Widgets?
Windows 11 widgets are small interactive cards that display live information like weather forecasts, news headlines, stock prices, and calendar events directly on your screen. You can open them at any time to check updates at a glance without having to open full apps or browser windows.
- News headlines you pick
- Current weather and forecasts
- Stock market updates
- Your calendar events
- To-do lists
- And more, depending on what you add!
The goal is to keep you informed and organized. It brings updates right to your taskbar . Instead of opening many apps, you get a quick summary of what’s happening. It’s all in one convenient spot.
How to Open Your Widgets
Open the Widgets board using any of the methods below.
Hover or Click the Widgets Icon
Look for the icon on your taskbar . It’s usually on the left. It might look like a square with two smaller squares inside, or a weather icon. Move your mouse over it, and the Widgets board will slide open. You can also click it.
Swipe from the Side (if Centered)
If your taskbar icons are in the middle (this is the default in Windows 11), you can also swipe from the left edge of your screen. This opens the Widgets board. This feels natural if you use a touchscreen or like that gesture.
Use a Keyboard Shortcut
Windows 11 widgets can be opened instantly from anywhere on your computer by pressing the Windows Key + W on your keyboard. This shortcut opens the widget board immediately so you can check your personalized feeds without needing to click the taskbar icon with your mouse.
It might be turned off. We'll show you how to turn it back on next.
Turning the Widgets Icon On or Off
Windows 11 widgets can be hidden or shown on your taskbar by opening the taskbar settings menu and changing your taskbar items. This lets you remove the weather button and other quick links if you prefer a clean taskbar or want to save screen space.
- Right-Click Your Taskbar
Find an empty spot on your taskbar. Right-click it. Then, select Taskbar settings from the menu. This opens the settings for your taskbar.
- Find Taskbar Items
In the Taskbar settings window, look for a section called Taskbar items. Here you can control icons like Search, Task view, and Widgets.
- Turn Widgets On or Off
You will see a switch called Widgets. Click the switch to turn it On to show the icon. Click it to turn it Off to hide the icon. The icon will disappear right away if you turn it off.
Make sure you are okay with this shortcut if you hide the icon.
Changing What's in Your Widgets
Widgets are best when they show what *you* want to see. It's not a random feed. It's made to show you what matters.
Add and Remove Widgets
Windows 11 widgets can be added or removed from your board by opening the widgets panel and clicking the plus sign button. You can select new cards from Microsoft or other apps, or delete any card you no longer use to keep your feed organized.
To remove a widget you don't need anymore, open the Widgets board. Find the widget you want to remove. Click the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of that widget. Then, select Remove widget.
Move Your Widgets Around
The order of your widgets can make them more useful. To move them, open the Widgets board. Then, click and drag any widget card to where you want it. You can move them up, down, or sideways to make a layout that works for you.
Change Settings for Each Widget
Windows 11 widget settings let you customize individual cards, such as changing your location for the weather or following specific topics in the news feed. You can access these options by opening your widget board and clicking the three dots on the specific card you want to adjust.
Manage What You're Interested In
Windows 11 widgets learn your preferences over time by tracking the articles and topics you like or dislike. You can also manually manage your news sources and interests by opening the main widget settings through the gear icon to train your feed to show better content.
Practical Tip: Don't be afraid to try things out! Add a few widgets you're curious about. See how they work for a day or two. Then, remove or move them if you need to. You can always add them back later.
Summary
Windows 11 widgets provide a quick way to view personalized news, weather, and schedule updates without slowing down your computer. Taking a few moments to set up your board and choose the cards you actually use helps make the operating system work better for your daily routine.
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About the Author
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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