How to Remove Widgets on Windows 11
Getting rid of those annoying widgets on Windows 11 can feel like searching for a lost sock in the dryer. It’s not exactly a pain, but it does take a bit of poking around to find where those options are hidden. Once you disable them, your desktop looks way neater—a little more space for actual important stuff instead of clutter. Plus, it might even give your system a small boost if it’s not the latest high-end rig. Let’s dive into how to turn off those widgets.
Open Up the Settings
First off, hit that Windows key + I. This opens the Settings app without having to click through the Start menu, which just feels faster. You’d think navigating through Windows would be easier, but here we are, navigating the labyrinth of settings. This fairytale-like land of Settings is where you can customize everything. If clutter’s been bugging you, this is your starting point.
Find Personalization
Once you’re knee-deep in Settings, look for Personalization. It’s like the front porch of customization—easy to spot, or so you’d hope. Inside, it’s all about changing backgrounds, themes, and yes, you guessed it, the dreaded widgets. Today, our mission is to streamline things and turn off that widget feature.
Go to Taskbar Settings
Now, within Personalization, track down the Taskbar option. It’s a tiny section that controls what pops up at the bottom of your screen. If you’re looking for a clean taskbar, this is where you can ditch the widgets button. Not sure why they felt the need to hide it down here, but of course, Microsoft loves to keep things interesting.
Quick Tip: You can also skip the long route and get to Taskbar settings directly—just right-click on the taskbar and choose Taskbar Settings. Instant access!
Turn Widgets Off
In the Taskbar settings, you’ll stumble upon an option labeled “Widgets.” There’s a little toggle switch right next to it. Flip that bad boy to off. If you’re feeling adventurous and know your way around a command line, you could whip this up in PowerShell:
Get-AppxPackage *MicrosoftWindows.Client.WebExperience* | Remove-AppxPackageThat command kicks the whole widget app out, which sounds super intense and probably isn’t for the faint of heart. For most, just toggling that switch will do the trick. Once you’ve done that, poof! The widget icon disappears from the taskbar like magic, leaving your desktop breathing room. It took some rummaging to find this setting, which is par for the course with Windows, but now it feels so much less cramped.
Save Your Changes
No need for a reboot or any of that nonsense—just close the Settings window. Changes happen instantly, so expect to see that widget icon vanish right away.
Extra Notes
- If you want to manually kick the Widgets icon off the taskbar, a right-click on the taskbar, picking Taskbar Settings, and then flipping the Widgets switch is also an option.
- For those on Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, there’s a group policy option that can disable widgets. Navigate via:
gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Widgets → Turn off Widgets → Enable - PowerShell fans can really go wild with command lines—but remember, that’s a bit aggressive. Usually, just flipping the toggle is more than enough.
Some Thoughts Before You Disable
Before going all-in on disabling, think if you actually use any of the widgets. Sure, a quick glance at the news or weather can be nice, but if they’re just sitting there unused, they’re likely eating up some resources and making the system a bit sluggish. This simple tweak can boost performance, especially on machines that aren’t exactly top-tier. And if you ever miss them, bringing them back is just as easy—just flip the switch back on.
Common Questions About Disabling Widgets
Can Widgets Come Back After Turning Them Off?
You bet! If you realize widgets aren’t so bad after all, just waltz back into Settings → Personalization → Taskbar, and toggle that Widgets switch back to on. Or, if you’re feeling hands-on again, you can re-install them with:
Get-AppxPackage *MicrosoftWindows.Client.WebExperience* | Add-AppxPackageWill Disabling Widgets Save Resources?
Most likely, yes. Those widgets don’t just sit there—they can munch on some CPU and memory power. Turning them off might yield a minor boost, which, on older machines, could be just enough to make a noticeable difference.
Are There Other Ways to Get Similar Info?
You can absolutely replace widget functionalities with standalone apps or website links. Instead of widgets, try pinning weather, news, or whatever else to your taskbar or desktop. Apps like “Microsoft News” or “The Weather Channel” can serve pretty well too.
Do I Have to Reboot After Turning Off Widgets?
Can I Customize Widgets Before Turning Them Off?
Turning off widgets in Windows 11 is a straight shot once you know where to look. It’s a quick fix for improving your desktop’s look and possibly giving your system a hint of performance. Whether streamlining, sorting out sluggishness, or just wanting fewer distractions, removing those widgets can seriously change the game. And remember, you can always circle back and reinstate them whenever you want. Your PC needs to cater to you, not the other way around. So, go ahead, declutter that desktop, and enjoy a more focused workspace.
This little trick could save hours of searching for answers. If it makes a difference even on a couple of machines, that’s a win.