How To Set Up Widgets In Windows 11

Setting up widgets in Windows 11 is a new and exciting way to keep track of the latest information, such as weather, news, calendar events, and stock prices, all from your desktop. Widgets in Windows 11 are a part of the taskbar experience, providing quick access to personalized information at a glance. Here’s a comprehensive guide to setting up widgets in Windows 11, covering all the necessary steps and tips in detail.

What Are Widgets in Windows 11?

Windows 11 widgets are small, interactive panels that provide personalized information and updates. They are an extension of the Microsoft Start service, which is integrated into the operating system and aims to deliver content that is tailored to your preferences. The widgets are housed in a dedicated space that slides out from the left side of the screen, and they cover a wide variety of topics, including:

• Weather updates
• News articles
• Sports scores
• Stock market information
• Traffic reports
• Calendar events

Accessing Widgets in Windows 11

The widgets feature in Windows 11 is easily accessible via the taskbar. Here's how you can access them:

1. Click the Widgets Icon: On the taskbar, you’ll notice an icon that looks like a square divided into four equal parts. This is the widgets icon. Clicking on this icon opens the widgets panel on the left side of the screen.

   2.Use the Keyboard Shortcut: If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, press Windows Key + W to open the widgets panel quickly.

3. Swipe from the Left (Touchscreen Devices): If you are using a touchscreen device, simply swipe from the left edge of the screen to reveal the widgets.

Adding Widgets to the Panel

By default, Windows 11 will display some widgets like Weather and News, but you can personalize the experience by adding or removing widgets according to your preference. Here's how to customize your widgets panel:

1. Open the Widgets Panel: Click the widgets icon or press Windows Key + W.

   2. Add a Widget:

•    At the top of the widgets panel, you will see a button labeled “Add Widgets.”
•    Click on this button to open the widget selection menu.
•    From this menu, select the widgets you want to add to your panel, such as Weather, Calendar, Traffic, To Do, Sports, or Entertainment.

3. Rearranging Widgets:

•    Once added, you can easily rearrange the widgets by dragging and dropping them into your desired order.
•    Simply click and hold on a widget's header and move it around the panel until it is in the desired position.

Customizing Individual Widgets

Each widget in Windows 11 can be personalized to show relevant information based on your location, preferences, or interests. Here’s how you can customize them:

1. Customize the Weather Widget:

•    Click on the three-dot menu (ellipsis) in the top-right corner of the Weather widget.
•   Select "Customize Widget."
•    You can now set your preferred location and choose whether to display the weather in Fahrenheit or Celsius.

2.Customize the News Widget:

•    Open the News widget and click the three-dot menu in the upper right.
•    Select "Manage Interests" to be redirected to the Microsoft Start page in your browser.
•    From here, you can follow specific topics, news outlets, or even individual authors to tailor the news displayed in your widget.

3. Customize Sports and Stock Widgets:

•    For the Sports widget, click the three-dot menu and select your favorite teams or leagues to follow.
•    For the Stock widget, you can enter the stock symbols of companies you wish to track.

Removing or Disabling Widgets

If you no longer want a particular widget on your panel or if you wish to remove widgets entirely, you can do so by following these steps:

1. Removing Individual Widgets:

•    Open the widgets panel by clicking on the taskbar icon or using Windows Key + W.
•    Locate the widget you want to remove.
•    Click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of the widget, then select “Remove Widget.”

2. Disabling the Widgets Icon from the Taskbar:

•    If you don’t use widgets and want to declutter your taskbar, you can easily remove the widgets icon:
•    Right-click anywhere on the taskbar and select “Taskbar Settings.”
•    In the Taskbar Settings window, toggle off the switch next to "Widgets." This will remove the widgets icon from the taskbar.

3. Disable Widgets Completely:

•    If you want to completely disable widgets, preventing them from running in the background, you can do so via Group Policy Editor (for Pro and Enterprise versions) or the Registry Editor (for all versions).

   Using Group Policy Editor:

•    Press Windows Key + R and type `gpedit.msc`, then press Enter.
•    Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets.
•    Double-click on “Allow Widgets” and select "Disabled."
•    Click "Apply" and then "OK." Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

   Using Registry Editor:

•    Press Windows Key + R and type `regedit`, then press Enter.

   Navigate to the following path:  

     `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Dsh`

•    If the "Dsh" key doesn't exist, right-click on Microsoft, choose New > Key, and name it “Dsh.”
•    Right-click in the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it "AllowNewsAndInterests."
•    Set the value to 0 and click "OK."
•    Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Managing Your News Feed

One of the most prominent widgets in Windows 11 is the News widget, which is powered by Microsoft Start. To ensure you are seeing news articles that interest you, Microsoft allows users to customize their news feed. Here's how you can manage your news feed:

1. Manage Interests via Widgets Panel:

•    Open the widgets panel and click on “Manage Interests.”
•    This will open a web page where you can follow topics and personalize your feed, such as business, entertainment, health, science, technology, and more.

2. Like or Dislike Articles:

•    As you scroll through the news feed, you can give feedback on individual articles.
•    Click the three-dot menu on a specific article and choose “More stories like this” or “Fewer stories like this” to fine-tune your preferences.

Additional Tips for Using Widgets in Windows 11

• Resizing Widgets: Some widgets allow resizing. Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of a widget and select from available size options: small, medium, or large.

• Sync Across Devices: If you're logged into your Microsoft account, your widgets and preferences can sync across multiple devices, providing a consistent experience on both your PC and tablet.

• Third-Party Widgets: Currently, Windows 11 only supports Microsoft's native widgets, but it is expected that third-party developers will be able to offer custom widgets in the future. Keep an eye on Windows updates for this feature.

Troubleshooting Widgets Issues

If widgets aren’t working properly, here are some common troubleshooting tips:

1. Restart Windows Explorer:

•    Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
•    Find Windows Explorer in the list, right-click, and select "Restart."

2. Check for Windows Updates:

•    Go to Settings > Windows Update and ensure you are running the latest version of Windows 11.

3. Sign in to Your Microsoft Account:

•    Widgets rely on your Microsoft account to personalize content. Make sure you are signed into your account for the best experience.

4. Check Network Connection:

•    Widgets require an internet connection to fetch live data. Ensure that your computer is connected to the internet.

Conclusion

Setting up widgets in Windows 11 is a simple yet powerful way to stay updated on the latest information right from your desktop. With a wide range of widgets available, from weather to stocks, and the ability to customize them according to your preferences, widgets enhance your productivity and convenience. Whether you want quick updates or tailored news feeds, Windows 11 widgets are a versatile feature worth exploring.