Removing widgets from the Windows 11 taskbar is pretty straightforward, but yeah, it’s one of those things that’s not immediately obvious. You might be over the weather and news feed taking up space at the edge — especially if you’re into a tidy desktop or just don’t want all that clutter. Here’s how you do it.
Removing Widgets from the Windows 11 Taskbar
Ready to ditch those pesky widgets? The process is basically a matter of flicking a toggle in the taskbar settings. Easy enough, but Windows can sometimes make even the simplest stuff a bit fiddly.
Step 1: Right-click on the Taskbar
Start by right-clicking anywhere on the taskbar itself, which sits at the bottom of your screen. Be careful, because right-clicking on icons might give you different options — you want to click on the blank space at the bottom.
This will bring up a menu with a few options, including “Taskbar settings.” That’s your first stop, because that’s where the magic begins.
Step 2: Select Taskbar Settings
Click on Taskbar Settings. If it doesn’t show up straight away, it’s usually near the top or bottom of that menu. This opens a dedicated window or panel with all the options for customizing your taskbar. Think of it like the control centre for your taskbar.
Step 3: Find the Widgets Toggle
Scroll down a bit until you see the “Widgets” toggle. It’s pretty clear once you spot it — like a little switch you can flip on or off. You might also notice other toggles for things like Search, Chat, or other taskbar icons. These give you the power to choose what shows up at the bottom of your screen.
Quick heads-up — on some setups, you might need to enable developer options or tweak group policies if the toggle’s missing, but most folks find it right here.
Step 4: Switch Off the Widgets Toggle
Just click that toggle, and *voila*. The widget panel should disappear instantly. It’s a bit odd, but toggling that switch really does turn off the widget feed.
Sometimes it works instantly, but other times, you might need to reboot or log out and back in. Windows can be a bit stubborn sometimes.
Step 5: Close the Settings
Once you’re done, just close the settings window. No need to hit save — the changes happen automatically when you flick that toggle.
Now your taskbar will look a lot cleaner and less cluttered, so you can focus on your open apps instead of that pesky news ticker.
Tips for Removing Widgets from the Windows 11 Taskbar
- Whenever in doubt, have a quick poke around the taskbar settings — you might find other things you want to hide or show.
- If you change your mind, just flip that toggle back on — they’re dead easy to toggle.
- Check if the apps themselves have options to turn off their widgets — some do.
- And yeah, keep Windows 11 up to date — updates sometimes tweak these toggles or add new ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are widgets in Windows 11?
Basically, widgets are little snippets of info — weather, news, calendar — without needing to open a full app. Handy, but a bit cluttery if you’re after a minimalist look.
Can I add widgets back after removing them?
Absolutely. Just head back to Taskbar Settings and flick the Widgets toggle on again. Easy peasy.
Does removing widgets improve performance?
Yeah, a bit. Less background stuff running means your PC might run a little smoother, but don’t expect a big boost unless your system is already pretty tight for resources.
Can I hide other icons from the taskbar?
For sure. Whether it’s the search box, chat icon, or volume control, the settings let you toggle most of that stuff off. It’s all up to you.
Can I customise individual widgets?
Some widgets do have their own settings inside the widget panel, like choosing news sources or calendar details, but the main toggle is what controls whether it shows up at all.
Summary
- Right-click on the taskbar.
- Select Taskbar Settings.
- Find the Widgets toggle.
- Turn it off.
- Close settings and enjoy the cleaner look.
Hopefully, this saves someone a bit of hassle. Not sure why it’s tucked away so deep — Windows can be a bit sneaky — but once you know where to click, it’s pretty easy to tidy things up. Good luck, mate!