Windows 11 introduced a modern Widgets panel that shows personalized news, weather, traffic updates, and other quick-access cards. While some users love the convenience, others find it distracting, unnecessary, or a drain on system resources. If you’re in the latter group, you might be wondering: How do I get rid of widgets on Windows 11?
Good news — Windows 11 gives you multiple ways to disable or completely remove widgets. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk through all the methods, from simple taskbar tweaks to advanced Group Policy and Registry changes.
📌 Key Takeaways
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You can hide the Widgets button on the taskbar with one click.
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Widgets can be disabled via Settings, Group Policy, or Registry Editor.
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Removing widgets may slightly improve performance and battery life on laptops.
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Re-enabling widgets later is quick and easy.
What Are Widgets in Windows 11?
Widgets in Windows 11 provide:
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News and weather updates
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Calendar events
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Sports and stock tracking
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Traffic and task reminders
They appear when you click the Widgets button (a square icon with rounded corners) on the taskbar or press Win + W.
👉 For many, they’re useful. But if you prefer a clean interface, you might want them gone.
Method 1: Hide Widgets from the Taskbar (Quick & Easy)
The fastest way to remove widgets from sight is to hide the button.
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Right-click on the taskbar.
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Select Taskbar settings.
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Toggle Widgets OFF.
That’s it — the icon disappears instantly.
Method 2: Turn Off Widgets from Windows Settings
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Press Win + I to open Settings.
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Navigate to Personalization > Taskbar.
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Find Taskbar items → Switch Widgets to Off.
✅ This removes the widget button from your taskbar, but the feature remains in the background.
Method 3: Disable Widgets via Group Policy (Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise)
For a more permanent solution (Pro editions only):
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Press Win + R, type
gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Double-click Allow widgets.
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Select Disabled → Click Apply > OK.
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Restart your PC.
👉 This fully disables widgets at the system level.
Method 4: Disable Widgets Using Registry Editor (All Editions)
If you’re on Windows 11 Home or prefer manual tweaks:
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Press Win + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. -
Navigate to:
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If the Dsh key doesn’t exist, create it.
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Inside, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named:
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Set its value to 0.
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Restart your PC.
⚠️ Editing the Registry incorrectly can cause issues — be careful and back up before making changes.
Method 5: Block Widgets from Running in Background
If you don’t mind having the button but want to stop resource usage:
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Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
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Search for Windows Web Experience Pack (the app powering Widgets).
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Click Advanced options.
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Under Background app permissions, select Never.
This stops widgets from consuming memory and internet data.
Method 6: Uninstall Widgets (Advanced Users)
Although Microsoft doesn’t officially allow uninstalling, advanced users can remove the Widgets package via PowerShell.
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Right-click Start → Select Windows Terminal (Admin).
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Run this command:
This removes the Windows Web Experience Pack, effectively uninstalling widgets.
👉 To reinstall later, you can download it from the Microsoft Store.
Pros and Cons of Removing Widgets
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Cleaner taskbar & desktop | Lose quick weather/news access |
| Slight performance boost | No integrated personalized feed |
| Less RAM & CPU usage | Must reinstall if you change your mind |
| Less distraction | Some users actually find widgets useful |
Troubleshooting: Widgets Keep Coming Back
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After updates: Sometimes major Windows updates re-enable widgets. Just repeat the method you used.
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If button won’t disappear: Use Group Policy or Registry tweaks for a stronger disable.
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Accidental removal: Reinstall via Microsoft Store → Windows Web Experience Pack.
Conclusion
If you find widgets unnecessary or distracting, you now know multiple ways to get rid of widgets on Windows 11 — from simply hiding the button to completely disabling or uninstalling them.
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For casual users → Hiding via Taskbar settings is enough.
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For professionals → Group Policy or Registry edits ensure widgets never return.
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For power users → PowerShell lets you uninstall the feature entirely.
With widgets gone, your Windows 11 taskbar will be cleaner, faster, and distraction-free.
FAQs: How to Get Rid of Widgets on Windows 11
1. Can I completely uninstall widgets on Windows 11?
Yes, using PowerShell, but Microsoft may reinstall them with updates.
2. Will disabling widgets improve performance?
Yes, slightly — fewer background processes mean lower CPU and RAM usage.
3. How do I bring back widgets if I change my mind?
Re-enable them in Taskbar settings or reinstall the Windows Web Experience Pack from Microsoft Store.
4. Do widgets work offline?
No, most widgets (news, weather, traffic) require an internet connection.
5. Is disabling widgets safe?
Absolutely — it won’t affect Windows 11 functionality.