In Windows 11, Microsoft provides a dedicated Widgets Board containing cards for information and services such as weather, news, stocks, sports, photos, and other supported applications. Microsoft describes widgets as interactive elements intended to provide personalized information and quick access to apps and services.

For example, instead of opening a weather website every time you want to check the temperature, the Weather widget can show current conditions directly from the Windows interface.

Similarly, widgets can provide quick information about:

• Weather
• News headlines
• Stock-market information
• Sports
• Traffic
• Photos
• Calendar or productivity information
• Content from supported applications

The basic idea is:

Open Widgets → glance at useful information → take action if necessary → return to your work.

Widgets are therefore intended as a quick-information layer, not as replacements for complete applications.

Why Did Microsoft Add Widgets to Windows?

Modern computer users frequently check small pieces of information throughout the day.

For example:

"What is today's weather?"

"What happened in the news?"

"How is a particular stock performing?"

"What's happening in sports?"

"Do I have anything important coming up?"

Without widgets, users normally need to open a browser or application, navigate to the relevant service, obtain the information, and then close or minimize it.

Widgets reduce these steps.

Microsoft designed Windows Widgets to provide quickly consumable and actionable information from applications and services in one centralized interface.

The concept is similar to widgets available on smartphones.

Windows 11 Widgets vs Windows 10 Widgets

There is an important difference between Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Windows 11

Windows 11 contains the modern Widgets Board.

You can normally access it using:

Taskbar → Widgets

or

Windows key + W

You can also access the board through supported touch gestures.

The board can contain multiple widgets and personalized content.

Windows 10

Windows 10 does not have the same modern Windows 11 Widgets Board.

Instead, Windows 10 introduced a related feature called:

News and Interests

It normally appears on the taskbar and can display weather along with information cards for subjects such as:

• News
• Weather
• Sports
• Stocks
• Traffic

Microsoft describes News and Interests as a way of accessing weather, news, and other interests directly from the Windows 10 taskbar.

Therefore, in simple terms:

Windows Version	Feature
Windows 10	News and Interests
Windows 11	Widgets / Widgets Board

The concepts are similar, but Windows 11 provides a more developed widget platform.

Important: Microsoft ended normal Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 computers can continue working, but Microsoft recommends moving eligible systems to Windows 11.

What Is the Windows 11 Widgets Board?

The Widgets Board is the main interface used to display Windows widgets.

Think of it as a dashboard that temporarily appears over the desktop.

Microsoft's developer documentation describes it as a flyout surface that overlays the Windows desktop and displays widgets in a grid.

A widget is essentially a small card containing selected information.

For example:

Weather Widget

Temperature
Weather condition
Forecast information

Stocks Widget

Company
Current price
Price movement

Sports Widget

Team
Score
Upcoming event

The objective is to provide useful information without requiring the full application to remain open.

How to Open Widgets in Windows 11

The easiest method is the keyboard shortcut:

Windows + W

Alternatively:

1. Locate the Widgets area on the Windows 11 taskbar.
2. Click it.

Depending on your configuration, hovering over the Widgets area may also open the board.

Touch-enabled devices can also provide gesture-based access.

How Windows Widgets Work Technically

Windows Widgets are more sophisticated than simple desktop shortcuts.

At a high level, the architecture can be understood as:

Widget Provider / Application

↓

Widget data and template

↓

Windows Widgets infrastructure

↓

Widgets Board

↓

Information displayed to the user

Microsoft's developer documentation describes Windows widgets as small UI containers associated with applications installed on the computer. Widget content can use Microsoft's Adaptive Cards technology to define content and layout.

This architecture allows widget information to be dynamically updated without presenting the complete application interface.

What Is an Adaptive Card?

Adaptive Cards are a structured method for describing lightweight user-interface content.

A widget can use this technology to define elements such as:

• Text
• Images
• Buttons
• Information fields
• Dynamic values
• Interactive actions

Windows then renders the information inside the Widget Board.

This helps maintain a consistent Windows-style appearance even when widgets come from different providers.

What Is Windows Web Experience Pack?

An important Windows 11 component related to Widgets is:

Windows Web Experience Pack

Microsoft uses this package to deliver and update certain web-powered Windows experiences, including Widgets.

Unlike many traditional Windows components that depend entirely on major operating-system upgrades, the Windows Web Experience Pack can be updated through the Microsoft Store.

This allows Microsoft to improve parts of the Widgets experience independently.

How to Update Windows Web Experience Pack

If Widgets suddenly stop working properly, updating this component should be one of the troubleshooting steps.

Open:

Microsoft Store → Library

Search for:

Windows Web Experience Pack

If an update is available, install it.

Microsoft specifically recommends keeping both the Windows Web Experience Pack and related Windows components current when troubleshooting widget problems.

What Information Can Windows Widgets Display?

Available widgets depend on your Windows version, installed applications, region, Microsoft services, and widget providers.

Common examples include:

Weather

Shows information such as:

• Current temperature
• Weather conditions
• Forecasts

News

Displays personalized headlines and stories.

Stocks

Can provide information about selected companies and market movements.

Sports

Provides information about sports teams, events, and results.

Photos

Can surface photographs through supported Microsoft services.

Other Application Widgets

Applications that support Windows Widgets can provide their own widget experiences.

Microsoft also allows supported widgets to be discovered through the Microsoft Store.

Widgets Are Not Miniature Full Applications

This is an important concept.

A widget is generally not intended to reproduce every feature of an application.

For example, a weather application might contain:

• Detailed radar
• Hourly forecast
• Ten-day forecast
• Maps
• Historical weather
• Alerts

The widget may display only:

28°C – Partly Cloudy

Clicking the widget can then open the related application or service for additional details.

The design principle is:

Glance → Understand → Act if required

rather than:

Perform the entire workflow inside the widget.

Major Benefits of Windows Widgets

1. Information at a Glance

The primary advantage is speed.

You can quickly view information without opening multiple applications.

2. Centralized Information

Instead of checking several services independently, widgets provide a dashboard containing multiple information sources.

3. Faster Access

Press:

Windows + W

and information becomes immediately available.

4. Personalized Content

The Discover/news experience can adapt according to interests, followed sources, and other personalization settings. Microsoft states that the feed becomes more personalized over time.

5. Less Application Switching

Widgets can reduce the need to repeatedly switch between:

Browser → Weather website → News website → Stocks website → Calendar

Instead, selected information can be available through a single interface.

6. Useful on Touch Devices

Widgets can be particularly convenient on:

• Tablets
• Touchscreen laptops
• 2-in-1 devices

because users can access information quickly through touch-oriented interfaces.

7. Dynamic Information

Widgets refresh their information periodically.

This makes them more useful than static shortcuts.

Can Third-Party Applications Provide Widgets?

Yes.

Windows 11's widget platform supports widgets associated with compatible applications.

Microsoft provides developer APIs and documentation allowing application developers to create widget providers.

Supported applications can therefore integrate selected functionality into the Windows Widgets environment.

This means Windows Widgets are not limited permanently to Microsoft's own services.

How to Add Widgets in Windows 11

Open the Widgets Board:

Windows + W

Then use the available widget controls to discover and add supported widgets.

Depending on your Windows build, the interface may offer options to:

• Add widgets
• Remove widgets
• Rearrange widgets
• Resize widgets
• Customize widgets
• Discover additional supported widgets

Microsoft states that supported widgets can also be discovered through the Widgets page in the Microsoft Store.

How to Rearrange Widgets

Open:

Windows + W

Then drag supported widget cards to the desired location.

This allows frequently used widgets to remain in more convenient positions.

For example:

Weather
Calendar
Stocks
Photos

can be arranged according to your priorities.

How to Resize a Widget

Some widgets support different sizes.

Open the widget's options menu and select an available size.

Depending on the widget, options can vary.

A larger widget may provide more information, while a smaller widget conserves space on the board.

How to Remove a Widget

Removing a widget from the board normally does not mean uninstalling the associated application.

Open:

Windows + W

Locate the widget.

Open its menu and choose the appropriate unpin/remove option.

The application can remain installed even though its widget no longer appears.

How to Disable Widgets in Windows 11

If you do not use Widgets, you can remove the Widgets button from the taskbar.

Go to:

Settings → Personalization → Taskbar

Under Taskbar items, locate:

Widgets

Set it to:

Off

Microsoft documents this as the standard way to show or hide Widgets on the Windows 11 taskbar.

You can re-enable it at any time.

How to Disable News and Interests in Windows 10

Windows 10 uses a different procedure.

Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.

Select:

News and interests → Turn off

The weather/news display will disappear from the taskbar.

To restore it later:

Right-click Taskbar → News and interests → Show icon and text

or another available display option.

Should You Disable Windows Widgets?

There is no universal answer.

Widgets are optional convenience features.

Keep Widgets Enabled If:

You regularly use:

• Weather
• News
• Stocks
• Sports
• Calendar-style information
• Quick information dashboards

and appreciate receiving information without opening separate applications.

Consider Disabling Widgets If:

You:

• Never use them
• Prefer a minimal taskbar
• Don't want personalized news
• Want fewer background web-connected experiences
• Prefer manually opening applications
• Are optimizing a tightly controlled business PC

Disabling Widgets is generally a usability decision rather than a requirement.

Do Widgets Affect Computer Performance?

Widgets require system resources because information must be retrieved, processed, and displayed.

Potential resources include:

• RAM
• CPU
• Network bandwidth
• Background processes
• Battery power

However, on a reasonably modern computer, normal widget resource usage usually should not be a major performance problem.

The situation can be different on:

• Older computers
• Low-RAM systems
• Heavily loaded RDS environments
• Low-power laptops
• Systems with many background applications
• Computers with slow storage

If Widgets are never used on such systems, disabling them may simplify the user environment.

Do Widgets Use Internet Data?

Many widgets require internet connectivity because their information comes from online services.

Examples include:

• Weather
• News
• Stocks
• Sports
• Traffic

Therefore, widgets may periodically communicate with online services to refresh information.

This can matter when using:

• Mobile hotspots
• Metered connections
• Limited broadband plans
• Corporate networks with restrictive firewall rules

Windows Widgets and Privacy

Privacy is another consideration.

Microsoft states that the Widgets Board is a personalized experience and that diagnostic data collection follows the diagnostic-data settings configured in Windows.

Individual widgets may also have their own data practices because they can be powered by different applications or services.

Users concerned about personalization should review:

Settings → Privacy & security

and the privacy options of the applications or services supplying widget content.

Microsoft-account privacy settings can also influence personalized experiences.

Windows Widgets and Microsoft Account

A Microsoft account can improve personalization and synchronization of certain widget experiences.

For example, Microsoft notes that signing into the Discover experience with the same Microsoft account can help maintain personalization across devices.

However, the exact behavior can depend on:

• Windows version
• Region
• Widget provider
• Account configuration
• Organization policies

Windows 11 Lock Screen Widgets

Modern Windows 11 versions can also provide widgets on the lock screen.

These can display dynamic information before the user signs into Windows.

Configuration is available under:

Settings → Personalization → Lock screen

Microsoft currently allows supported widgets to be added, removed, rearranged, and customized from the Lock Screen settings.

This is separate from the normal taskbar Widgets Board.

Advantages of Windows Widgets

Major advantages include:

Quick information

Important information can be checked quickly.

Convenience

Less need to open browsers and applications.

Personalization

Users can customize information according to their interests.

Centralized dashboard

Multiple information sources can be viewed together.

Dynamic updates

Information changes automatically.

Application integration

Compatible applications can provide their own widgets.

Touch-friendly interface

Useful on tablets and touchscreen computers.

Disadvantages of Windows Widgets

Widgets also have disadvantages.

1. Background Resource Usage

They require some CPU, memory, network, and background processing.

2. Internet Dependency

Many widgets become much less useful without internet access.

3. Personalized Content

Some users may not want news recommendations or personalized feeds.

4. Distraction

Breaking news, sports, market information, and similar content can distract users during work.

5. Limited Functionality

Widgets provide quick actions rather than complete application functionality.

6. Business Environment Considerations

Organizations may prefer removing unnecessary consumer-oriented content from managed workstations.

Widgets in Business and Enterprise Computers

Widgets can be useful on personal computers but may be unnecessary on many corporate systems.

For example, computers dedicated to:

• Accounting
• ERP
• Billing
• Data entry
• Point-of-sale
• Remote Desktop
• Server administration
• Production systems

may gain little value from personalized news or weather information.

Organizations may choose to control Windows features through centralized management mechanisms such as:

• Group Policy
• Microsoft Intune
• Device-management policies

Administrators should use supported policies rather than aggressively deleting Windows components.

Should You Uninstall Windows Web Experience Pack?

Generally, no.

Disabling the visible Widgets feature is normally preferable to manually removing underlying Windows components.

The Windows Web Experience Pack can support Windows web-powered experiences and receives updates through the Microsoft Store.

Removing system packages through PowerShell or third-party debloating utilities can sometimes create problems after:

• Windows updates
• Feature updates
• Microsoft Store updates
• User-profile changes

If you simply dislike Widgets, use the normal Windows setting to disable them.

Troubleshooting: Windows Widgets Not Working

If Widgets fail to open or display correctly, try the following troubleshooting sequence.

Step 1 – Restart the Computer

A restart clears temporary processes and reloads Windows components.

Step 2 – Check Internet Connectivity

Open a browser and confirm that websites load correctly.

Because many widgets rely on online information, internet problems can result in blank or outdated content.

Step 3 – Install Windows Updates

Open:

Settings → Windows Update

Select:

Check for updates

Install available updates and restart the computer.

Step 4 – Update Microsoft Store Applications

Open:

Microsoft Store → Library

Check for updates.

Pay particular attention to:

Windows Web Experience Pack

Microsoft specifically recommends keeping this package updated for Widgets functionality.

Step 5 – Check Widgets Taskbar Setting

Open:

Settings → Personalization → Taskbar

Make sure:

Widgets = On

Step 6 – Toggle Widgets Off and On

Sometimes reinitializing the feature can help.

Set:

Widgets → Off

Restart Windows.

Then set:

Widgets → On

Step 7 – Check Date, Time, and Region

Incorrect date, time, timezone, or regional configuration can sometimes interfere with online Windows services.

Check:

Settings → Time & language

Confirm:

• Date
• Time
• Time zone
• Region

Step 8 – Check Microsoft Account

If personalized information is not appearing correctly, check the account being used with Windows and Widgets.

Step 9 – Check Firewall or Security Software

On corporate networks, security software or firewall policies can block services required by web-powered Windows features.

This is particularly relevant if:

• Widgets work on another network
• Internet browsing works normally
• Widget content remains blank

Widgets Open Automatically When I Hover the Mouse

If Widgets open unintentionally when the pointer moves over the taskbar icon, you can change the hover behavior.

Open the Widgets Board and check its settings for the open on hover option.

Windows 10 News and Interests has a similar hover configuration accessible from the taskbar context menu.

Why Does Microsoft Show News Inside Widgets?

Microsoft has designed the Widgets experience partly as a personalized information dashboard.

The Discover area can provide a stream of news and other content.

Users can influence the feed by:

• Following topics
• Following publishers
• Hiding stories
• Blocking unwanted sources
• Selecting more or fewer stories of a particular type

Microsoft says these signals help personalize the Discover experience over time.

Widgets vs Desktop Shortcuts

They are completely different concepts.

Feature	Shortcut	Widget
Opens application	Yes	Can
Displays live information	Usually no	Yes
Updates automatically	No	Usually
Interactive content	Very limited	Yes
Requires application launch	Yes	Not always
Designed for quick glance	No	Yes

A shortcut tells Windows:

"Open this application."

A widget tells Windows:

"Show me useful information from this application or service without requiring me to open the whole application."

Widgets vs Live Tiles

Users familiar with older Windows versions may remember Live Tiles.

Live Tiles appeared primarily inside the Start menu.

Widgets follow a different approach.

Instead of mixing live information with application launch icons inside Start, Windows 11 provides a dedicated Widgets Board.

This allows:

Start Menu → Applications

and

Widgets Board → Dynamic information

to remain separate experiences.

Are Windows Widgets Necessary?

No.

Windows does not require you to actively use Widgets for normal desktop operation.

You can still use:

• Start menu
• File Explorer
• Microsoft Edge
• Chrome
• Office
• Business applications
• Windows Settings

with the taskbar Widgets button disabled.

Widgets are primarily a convenience and information feature.

Are Windows Widgets Safe?

Windows' built-in widget infrastructure is a legitimate Microsoft Windows feature.

However, widgets can display information supplied by applications and online services.

Therefore:

• Install applications from trusted sources.
• Keep Windows updated.
• Keep Microsoft Store applications updated.
• Review privacy permissions.
• Avoid clicking suspicious news advertisements or unknown external content.
• Review the provider of unfamiliar widgets.

The same security principles that apply to applications and web services also apply to content exposed through widgets.

Best Practices for Using Windows Widgets

For personal computers:

• Keep only useful widgets.
• Remove widgets you never check.
• Customize news interests.
• Keep Windows updated.
• Update Windows Web Experience Pack.
• Review privacy settings periodically.

For business computers:

• Determine whether widgets provide genuine productivity value.
• Consider disabling unnecessary consumer content.
• Use supported management policies.
• Avoid unsupported removal of Windows system components.
• Standardize settings across managed PCs when appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are Widgets in Windows 11?

Widgets are small interactive cards that provide dynamic information and quick access to supported applications and services through the Windows Widgets Board.

2. How do I open Widgets?

Press:

Windows + W

You can also select the Widgets area on the taskbar.

3. Does Windows 10 have Widgets?

Windows 10 primarily provides the related News and Interests taskbar feature rather than the full Windows 11 Widgets Board.

4. What happened to Windows 10 support?

Microsoft ended normal support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Computers can continue running Windows 10, but eligible systems should generally be evaluated for migration to Windows 11.

5. Can I disable Windows 11 Widgets?

Yes.

Go to:

Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Widgets → Off

6. Will disabling Widgets damage Windows?

No. Hiding/disabling the Widgets taskbar feature through Windows Settings is a supported configuration.

7. Do Widgets consume RAM?

Yes. Like other dynamic Windows features, widgets and their supporting processes require some memory.

8. Do Widgets consume CPU?

They can consume some CPU while loading, refreshing, rendering, or processing information.

9. Do Widgets use internet bandwidth?

Many do because weather, news, stocks, sports, and similar information must be downloaded from online services.

10. Can Widgets work offline?

Some functionality may remain visible, but most dynamic online widgets require internet connectivity for current information.

11. Can I remove the Widgets icon?

Yes.

Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Widgets → Off

12. Can I customize Widgets?

Yes. Depending on the widget, you can add, remove, rearrange, resize, or customize it.

13. Can third-party applications provide widgets?

Yes. Windows provides a widget platform for compatible applications.

14. What is Windows Web Experience Pack?

It is a Microsoft Store-delivered Windows component used to provide and update certain web-powered Windows experiences, including Widgets.

15. Why are my Widgets blank?

Possible causes include:

• Internet connectivity problems
• Outdated Windows components
• Outdated Windows Web Experience Pack
• Account problems
• Firewall restrictions
• Temporary Windows problems

16. How do I update Widgets?

Update Windows and check Microsoft Store updates, particularly the Windows Web Experience Pack.

17. Should I uninstall Windows Web Experience Pack?

Normally, no. If you simply do not want Widgets, disabling Widgets through Windows Settings is safer than manually removing system packages.

18. Are Widgets useful on business computers?

It depends on the organization. They can provide convenient information, but some organizations disable them to reduce distractions and unnecessary consumer-oriented content.

19. Are Windows Widgets the same as desktop gadgets?

No.

Older versions of Windows used Desktop Gadgets, which were a different technology. Modern Windows Widgets use a newer architecture and a dedicated Widgets Board.

20. Are Widgets the same as Live Tiles?

No. Live Tiles were primarily integrated into the Start menu. Windows 11 Widgets use a separate Widgets Board.

21. Can Widgets show information on the lock screen?

Yes. Current Windows versions can provide supported widgets on the lock screen, configurable through:

Settings → Personalization → Lock screen

22. Can I remove news but keep useful widgets?

Depending on the current Windows build and available personalization controls, you can customize your widgets and Discover experience, including hiding stories and adjusting topics and publishers.

23. Why does the Widgets panel keep changing?

Widgets and Discover content are dynamic. Information is refreshed throughout the day, and personalized content can change according to your interests and activity.

24. Does Windows + W work if the Widgets icon is hidden?

The Windows + W shortcut is the standard keyboard shortcut for opening the Widgets experience. Exact behavior can vary with Windows version, policy, and whether the underlying feature has been disabled.

25. Should I keep Widgets enabled?

If you regularly use weather, news, stocks, sports, photos, or supported productivity widgets, keeping them enabled can be convenient.

If you never use them, disabling the taskbar Widgets feature can provide a cleaner Windows interface.

Conclusion

Windows Widgets are designed to provide a fast, centralized, personalized information dashboard inside Windows.

In Windows 11, the Widgets Board can display dynamic information from Microsoft services and supported applications. Users can quickly access it through Windows + W or the taskbar. The feature can display weather, news, stocks, sports, photos, and other supported content without requiring users to continuously open separate applications.

Windows 10 uses the older News and Interests concept, while Windows 11 has evolved the idea into a broader widget platform.

Widgets can improve convenience and provide useful information at a glance, but they are not essential for Windows to function. Users who prefer a clean desktop, want fewer personalized feeds, or manage dedicated business computers can simply disable the Widgets taskbar feature.

For most users, the best approach is not to aggressively remove Windows components. Instead, customize the Widgets Board, keep useful widgets, remove unwanted content, and disable the feature through Windows Settings when it provides no practical value.

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