How to Get Rid of Widgets on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 14, 2025

If you’re tired of seeing widgets on your Windows 11 desktop or taskbar, you’re not alone. Many users find widgets distracting or unnecessary, especially when they want a clean, minimal desktop experience. The good news? It’s easy to get rid of widgets on Windows 11 — and you have multiple ways to do it, depending on how much you want to customize your system.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to remove widgets from Windows 11 — from disabling the widget button on your taskbar to completely turning off widget functionality.

Let’s dive in and make your Windows 11 workspace clean and distraction-free.

🧭 Summary: Key Takeaways

Action Description Difficulty
Hide Widget Button Removes the widget icon from your taskbar ⭐ Easy
Disable Widgets via Settings Turns off the widget feature entirely ⭐⭐ Medium
Use Group Policy Editor Permanently disables widgets for all users ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced
Use Registry Editor Manually disables widget services ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced
Remove Widgets Using PowerShell Removes widget files (for experts only) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Expert

🧩 What Are Widgets in Windows 11?

Widgets in Windows 11 are small, interactive panels that provide quick access to personalized information — such as news, weather, calendar, stocks, and sports updates.

You can open them using the Widgets icon (four-square icon) on the taskbar or by pressing Win + W.

While these widgets can be convenient, many users find them unnecessary or even resource-consuming. That’s why disabling widgets can improve performance and declutter your workspace.

⚙️ Why You Might Want to Remove Widgets

Before we jump into the steps, let’s look at a few reasons why users prefer to get rid of them:

  • 🧠 Less distraction: Widgets constantly update news and notifications, which can break your focus.

  • ⚡ Improved performance: They consume RAM and background resources.

  • 🧹 Cleaner desktop: Removing the widget button gives your taskbar a more minimalist look.

  • 🔒 Privacy: Widgets connect to your Microsoft account and pull data online — not everyone is comfortable with that.

If any of those sound familiar, it’s time to disable widgets in Windows 11.

🪄 Method 1: Hide the Widget Button from the Taskbar (Easiest Way)

If you just want to remove the widget icon from your taskbar (without disabling the feature), follow these steps:

🧰 Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Right-click on the taskbar.

    • A small context menu will appear.

  2. Select “Taskbar settings.”

    • This opens the “Personalization > Taskbar” section.

  3. Under Taskbar items, find the Widgets toggle.

  4. Turn off the toggle switch next to “Widgets.”

✅ Result:
The widget icon disappears from your taskbar, but the feature remains available if you use Win + W.

📝 Pro Tip: You can bring it back anytime by toggling it on again from the same menu.

🔧 Method 2: Turn Off Widgets from Windows Settings

If you want to completely disable the widget feature, not just hide it, here’s how:

🔹 Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Personalization → Taskbar.

  3. Scroll down to Taskbar items.

  4. Toggle Widgets to Off.

  5. Restart your computer (optional but recommended).

✅ Result:
Widgets won’t show or load in the background. You’ll have a cleaner and faster desktop experience.

🧰 Method 3: Disable Widgets Using Group Policy Editor (For Windows 11 Pro Users)

If you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use the Group Policy Editor to permanently disable widgets.

⚙️ Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

  2. Type gpedit.msc and hit Enter.

  3. Navigate to this path:

    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets

  4. On the right side, double-click on “Allow widgets.”

  5. Select Disabled.

  6. Click Apply, then OK.

  7. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

✅ Result:
Widgets are fully disabled for all users on your PC. The taskbar icon and shortcut (Win + W) will no longer work.

🧩 Method 4: Disable Widgets via Registry Editor (For All Windows 11 Editions)

If you’re using Windows 11 Home, you won’t have Group Policy Editor. But don’t worry — you can use the Registry Editor instead.

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry can affect system stability. Follow carefully and back up your registry before making changes.

🔹 Steps to Disable Widgets via Registry:

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

  2. Navigate to the following key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\

  3. Right-click on Microsoft → New → Key → name it Dsh.

  4. Select Dsh, then right-click the right pane → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  5. Name it AllowNewsAndInterests.

  6. Set its value to 0.

  7. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

✅ Result:
The widget panel and its background processes will be disabled.

📝 Pro Tip:
To re-enable widgets later, simply set the value back to 1 or delete the AllowNewsAndInterests entry.

💻 Method 5: Remove Widget Files via PowerShell (Advanced Users)

For advanced users who want to completely uninstall widget components, PowerShell is the way to go.

⚙️ Steps:

  1. Press Start, type “PowerShell,” and run as Administrator.

  2. Enter the following command:

    winget uninstall "Windows Web Experience Pack"

  3. Press Enter and wait for the process to complete.

  4. Restart your computer.

✅ Result:
The Web Experience Pack — which powers widgets — is removed, disabling widgets completely.

🧩 Note:
If you ever want to bring widgets back, reinstall the Web Experience Pack from the Microsoft Store.

🚫 Method 6: Disable Widgets from Task Manager Startup

Even after disabling widgets, they might still load in the background. Here’s how to prevent that:

🔹 Steps:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

  2. Go to the Startup apps tab.

  3. Find Windows Widgets (or Web Experience Host).

  4. Right-click and select Disable.

✅ Result:
Widgets won’t start automatically when you boot your computer.

🧠 How to Re-Enable Widgets (If You Change Your Mind)

If you want widgets back later, it’s easy:

  • For Settings method: Go to Settings → Personalization → Taskbar and toggle Widgets on.

  • For Group Policy: Set Allow widgets to Enabled or Not configured.

  • For Registry Editor: Change AllowNewsAndInterests value to 1.

  • For PowerShell: Reinstall using:

    winget install "Windows Web Experience Pack"

🧾 Comparison Table: Widget Removal Methods

Method Difficulty Effect Best For
Hide from Taskbar ⭐ Hides button only Beginners
Turn Off via Settings ⭐⭐ Disables widgets temporarily Regular users
Group Policy Editor ⭐⭐⭐ Disables permanently Windows 11 Pro users
Registry Editor ⭐⭐⭐ Disables manually Home users
PowerShell ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Uninstalls widget files Advanced users

🔒 Do Widgets Affect System Performance?

Yes — slightly. While widgets don’t use heavy CPU power, they do run background processes that consume RAM and network bandwidth.
If your system feels sluggish, disabling widgets can help free up memory and improve responsiveness.

🕵️ Are Widgets Safe to Use?

Widgets are safe since they’re part of Microsoft’s ecosystem. However, they fetch data online — like news, weather, and sports — which can raise privacy concerns for some users.
If you value privacy, turning off widgets is a smart move.

🧼 Benefits of Removing Widgets

Removing widgets can offer several advantages:

  • 🚀 Faster startup times

  • 🔋 Reduced background processes

  • 🧘 Cleaner, distraction-free workspace

  • 🔐 Enhanced privacy control

  • ⚙️ Less resource consumption

🧑‍💻 Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues after disabling widgets, try:

  • Running Windows Update to ensure compatibility.

  • Resetting Windows Explorer via Task Manager.

  • Reverting registry or group policy changes if needed.

🎯 Conclusion: Clean Up Your Windows 11 Experience

And that’s it! You’ve learned how to get rid of widgets on Windows 11 — using six different methods tailored for beginners, power users, and IT professionals alike.

Whether you just want to hide the widget button or completely uninstall widget services, the choice is yours. Removing widgets can streamline your desktop, save resources, and boost privacy — all in a few easy steps.

❓ FAQs About Removing Widgets on Windows 11

1. Can I remove widgets completely from Windows 11?

Yes. You can remove them using Group Policy Editor, Registry Editor, or PowerShell.

2. Will disabling widgets affect other Windows features?

No. Widgets are independent of other system components, so disabling them won’t affect your apps or files.

3. Can I bring widgets back later?

Absolutely! You can re-enable or reinstall them anytime via Settings or Microsoft Store.

4. Do widgets slow down my computer?

Slightly — they use system resources for real-time updates. Turning them off can improve performance on low-end PCs.

5. Is it safe to use PowerShell to remove widgets?

Yes, as long as you follow commands correctly. It’s best suited for experienced users.

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Windows 11 widgets are optional — you can hide or disable them anytime.

  • Best quick fix: Toggle off Widgets in Taskbar settings.

  • For total removal: Use Group Policy or PowerShell.

  • Disabling widgets can boost performance and reduce distractions.

  • You can re-enable them anytime if you change your mind.

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