Turning off widgets in Windows 11 can help tidy up your desktop and might even give your PC a bit of a boost. Those little blighters can sit there, gobbling resources or just being a distraction, making your workspace look way more cluttered than it needs to be. If your system’s running slow or you just want a cleaner look, disabling or removing those widgets could do the trick.
How to Uninstall Widgets in Windows 11
Here’s the thing: Windows 11 doesn’t have a straightforward “remove widget” button, but you can easily disable the widget panel so it doesn’t pop up. Fewer background processes can help your PC run smoother, and your desktop will look less cluttered — always a win.
Step 1: Open Settings
Click on Start and head to Settings (the gear icon). Or, hit Windows key + I for a quick jump. Once you’re in Settings, you’re practically in control of everything — from network to personalisation. We want Personalisation.
Step 2: Go to “Personalisation”
In Settings, find and click Personalisation. It’s like decorating your digital space. This is where you can tweak how Windows looks and feels to suit your style.
Step 3: Navigate to “Taskbar”
Scroll down a bit and select Taskbar. This controls what’s in the bar at the bottom of your screen, including that annoying widget icon.
Sometimes, if your layout’s been customised or is a bit different, you might need to poke around a little — Windows can be a pain that way, but you’ll get there.
Step 4: Turn Off “Widgets”
Under Taskbar items, find the toggle for Widgets. Flick it to the off position. That turns off the button and hides the widget panel. Odd, I know, it’s just a toggle, but that’s Windows for ya.
Step 5: Make Sure it’s Gone
Once you’ve done that, check your desktop — the widget panel should have disappeared. If it’s still lurking, double-check you didn’t pin any widgets or some got added from a recent update. Sometimes a quick restart of Explorer or the whole PC (like using taskkill /f /im explorer.exe followed by start explorer.exe) can do the trick.
On one of my machines, it went away immediately after toggling off. On another, I needed to restart Windows Explorer to see it gone. Bit weird, but that’s Windows for you.
Tips for Uninstalling Widgets in Windows 11
- Be comfortable poking around in Settings, especially if your layout’s been customised. Some options can hide depending on your updates or edition.
- Only disable what you don’t want cluttering your screen. Some widgets can be handy, so think twice before turning everything off.
- Keep an eye on resource-hungry widgets — if you’re after better performance, those are prime candidates for the chop.
- Try working without widgets for a day or two and see if your system feels snappier or less cluttered. Sometimes it’s just in your head, but often it makes a difference.
- If you decide you want them back, just flick the toggle on again — it’s dead easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove individual widgets instead of disabling them all?
Nah, Windows 11 doesn’t let you pick and choose widgets to remove from the panel. You can only turn off the whole widget feature via the taskbar settings.
Will removing widgets make my PC faster?
Maybe. Widgets run background processes, fetch info, and use RAM — so turning them off can help a bit. Not a huge boost, but every little helps, right?
Are widgets the same as apps?
Nope. Widgets are small info snippets, like weather or headlines, not full-blown apps. They’re lightweight, quick info helpers.
Can I customise the widgets if I keep them?
Yeah, you can usually tweak what info shows up and adjust some settings, but options are a bit limited compared to full apps.
How do I turn widgets back on if I change my mind?
Just head back to Settings > Personalisation > Taskbar and flick the Widgets toggle on again. Easy as.
Summary
- Open Settings.
- Go to Personalisation.
- Select Taskbar.
- Turn off Widgets.
- Look at your desktop — much neater, hey?
Hope this saves someone a bit of hassle. Remember, it’s all about what makes your workflow smoother — if less clutter helps, so be it. Good luck, mate!