In the left corner of the taskbar you have a weather icon, and clicking it opens a whole board of cards. These are Widgets, one of the visible novelties of Windows 11. Let us explain what it is, how to customize them and how to turn them off if they get in your way.

What Widgets are

Widgets are small information cards in Windows 11 that show you useful data at a glance without opening apps. On one board you see, for example, weather, calendar, tasks or news.

You open the whole board by clicking the weather icon on the left side of the taskbar or with the keyboard shortcut Win + W. You will find more shortcuts in the article keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac.

Which widgets are available

You choose from several cards, for example:

  • Weather with a forecast for the coming hours.
  • Calendar and tasks, so you have an overview of your day.
  • News and favorite topics according to your interests.
  • Photos and memories from the cloud.
  • Sports, stocks, traffic and more, depending on what interests you.

Widgets from other creators are gradually being added too, so the offering keeps expanding.

How to customize Widgets

You set the board up exactly to suit yourself:

  • Adding and removing. Via the add button you choose new widgets and remove unneeded ones.
  • Size. You change each card to small, medium or large, depending on how much information you want to see.
  • Arrangement. You move and arrange the cards the way that suits you.
  • News interests. You fine-tune the news feed so it shows topics that interest you and hides those that do not.

The news feed can be distracting

Below the widgets there is usually a personalized news feed. It can be interesting, but also distracting and sometimes full of clickbait. If it pulls you away from work, you can trim the feed or turn it off completely in the board settings. There is an article on concentrated work without distractions, Windows 11 Focus.

How to turn Widgets off completely

If you do not want the widgets board at all, you can hide it:

  1. Open Settings, Personalization, Taskbar.
  2. At the Widgets item, turn it off.

The icon disappears from the taskbar and the board no longer opens by accidentally moving the mouse over it.

Who they suit

  • A quick overview, when you want to see weather, calendar or news without opening apps.
  • People who like everything in one place and customized to themselves.

And conversely, if you are easily distracted, feel free to turn them off or at least trim the news feed. It is a matter of personal preference.

Conclusion

Widgets in Windows 11 are a handy board of cards that show you weather, calendar, tasks or news at a glance. They can be customized in detail, added, removed and resized. If the news feed distracts you, trim it, and if you do not want widgets at all, you turn them off with a single switch. What decides is whether they help you or distract you.

Want to set up the computers in your company clearly and without distracting elements? Get in touch, we will be happy to advise and set it up.

This article is part of our Software and system overview.