Alright, let's dive right into decluttering your Windows 11 experience! Are you finding those widgets a bit too chatty or perhaps just want a cleaner look on your desktop? You've come to the right place. Turning off widgets in Windows 11 is a straightforward process, and I'll guide you through every single step.
Step 1: Locating the Widgets Board Access Point
Take a close look at your taskbar, typically situated at the bottom of your screen. Do you see that small icon, usually depicting the current weather or a few stacked rectangles? That's your gateway to the Widgets board.
Step 2: Accessing the Widgets Settings
There are a couple of ways to get to the settings that control the Widgets board. Let's explore both:
2.1 Via the Taskbar Icon (The Direct Route)
- Click on the Widgets icon on your taskbar. This will slide out the Widgets board from the left side of your screen.
- Once the Widgets board is visible, look towards the top right corner. You should see your profile picture (if you're signed in with a Microsoft account) and a three-dot menu icon (
...). - Click on the three-dot menu icon. A small context menu will appear.
- From this menu, select ***"Widgets settings"***. This will open the dedicated settings page for widgets within the Windows Settings app.
2.2 Via the Windows Settings App (The Alternative Route)
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard (it usually has the Windows logo) or click on the Start button on your taskbar. This will open the Start Menu.
- In the Start Menu, either click on the "Settings" icon (it looks like a gear) or type "Settings" in the search bar and select the "Settings" app from the results.
- In the Windows Settings app, navigate to the "Personalization" category in the left-hand sidebar.
- Within the "Personalization" settings, scroll down and click on ***"Taskbar"***.
- On the Taskbar settings page, you will see a section labeled ***"Taskbar items"***.
- Look for the option labeled ***"Widgets"***. You'll see a toggle switch next to it.
Step 3: Turning Off the Widgets
Now that you've found the Widgets settings, the final step to disable them is incredibly simple:
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If you arrived at the Widgets settings via the three-dot menu on the Widgets board, simply locate the "Show widgets board" toggle switch at the top of the page.
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Toggle this switch to the "Off" position. The switch will likely turn gray, indicating that the Widgets board is now disabled.
Alternatively, if you navigated through the main Windows Settings app:
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On the Taskbar settings page, under the "Taskbar items" section, find the "Widgets" toggle switch.
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Click on this toggle switch to turn it off. Again, the switch will turn gray.
Step 4: Observing the Change
Once you've toggled the switch off, you'll immediately notice that the Widgets icon has disappeared from your taskbar. This confirms that the Widgets board is no longer readily accessible. You won't accidentally trigger it by hovering over the area, and it won't pop up unexpectedly.
Step 5: Re-enabling Widgets (If You Change Your Mind)
Don't worry if you decide later that you want to bring the widgets back! The process to re-enable them is just as easy:
- Follow the same steps to access the Taskbar settings (either through the Start Menu -> Settings -> Personalization -> Taskbar or by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting "Taskbar settings").
- In the "Taskbar items" section, locate the "Widgets" toggle switch.
- Click the toggle switch to turn it "On". The switch will likely turn blue, and the Widgets icon will reappear on your taskbar.
Important Considerations
- Turning off the Widgets board removes the quick access point from your taskbar. It doesn't uninstall the underlying widget functionality from your system.
- If you re-enable widgets, they will likely remember your previous settings and personalized widgets.
- This process specifically addresses the Widgets board introduced in Windows 11. It doesn't affect other types of widgets or third-party applications that might display information on your desktop.
Frequently Asked Questions (How to...)
How to completely remove widgets from Windows 11?
While the steps above turn off the Widgets board, the underlying feature remains. As of now, Windows 11 doesn't offer a built-in option to completely uninstall the Widgets feature. Third-party tools or more advanced system modifications might exist, but proceed with caution when using them.
How to customize the widgets before turning them off?
Before disabling, click the Widgets icon, and on the board, click the "Add widgets" button (plus sign) at the top right. You can add, remove, rearrange, and customize individual widgets here by clicking the three dots on each widget.
How to stop widgets from automatically opening?
Turning off the Widgets board as described above is the primary way to prevent them from automatically opening. Ensure the toggle switch for "Widgets" in the Taskbar settings is set to "Off."
How to change the news feed in the widgets?
When the Widgets board is open, scroll down to the "News and interests" section. Click the three dots next to a news story to see options like "More stories like this," "Fewer stories like this," or "Hide story." You can also click the "Manage interests" button at the top to customize your news feed in more detail.
How to make the taskbar icons reappear after turning off widgets?
Turning off widgets removes the Widgets icon. If other taskbar icons are missing, go to Settings -> Personalization -> Taskbar -> Taskbar items and ensure the toggles for the missing icons (like Search, Task View, Chat) are turned "On."
How to know if widgets are completely disabled?
If the Widgets icon is no longer visible on your taskbar, and the Widgets board doesn't appear when you hover over the left side of your screen (if that was a previous behavior), then widgets are effectively turned off for your daily use.
How to update widgets in Windows 11?
Widgets are typically updated automatically through the Microsoft Store. Ensure your system is set to receive automatic app updates from the Store. You can check for updates manually in the Microsoft Store app under your Library.
How to pin a widget to the desktop in Windows 11?
As of the current Windows 11 version, there is no native feature to directly pin individual widgets to the desktop. The widgets reside within the dedicated Widgets board.
How to troubleshoot if the widgets toggle is greyed out?
If the Widgets toggle in Taskbar settings is greyed out, it could indicate a system issue or a policy set by your organization (if you're on a work device). Ensure your Windows installation is up to date. You might need to consult your IT administrator if it's a work device.
How to provide feedback about widgets in Windows 11?
You can provide feedback to Microsoft about the Widgets feature using the "Feedback Hub" app, which is pre-installed on Windows. Search for "Feedback Hub" in the Start Menu, open the app, and submit your suggestions or report any issues.
I hope this comprehensive guide helps you manage the Widgets feature in Windows 11 according to your preferences! Let me know if you have any more questions.