How to Remove Widgets from Windows 11 Taskbar: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 10, 2025

Windows 11 introduced Widgets, a feature that shows news, weather, calendar, and other updates at a glance. While some users find them helpful, others may feel the Widgets icon clutters the taskbar or consumes system resources.

If you’re one of those who prefer a cleaner, minimalist taskbar, this guide will show you how to remove Widgets from the Windows 11 taskbar step by step.

What Are Widgets in Windows 11?

Widgets are small informational panels that appear when you click the Widgets icon (a square with a split design) on the taskbar or press Windows + W.

They display:

  • News headlines

  • Weather updates

  • Calendar events

  • Stocks and sports scores

Widgets are powered by the Windows Web Experience Pack and your Microsoft account preferences.

Why Remove Widgets?

Some common reasons include:

  • Taskbar feels cluttered or distracting

  • Freeing up system resources (RAM and CPU)

  • Improving laptop performance

  • Reducing notifications and interruptions

Method 1: Remove Widgets Using Taskbar Settings

This is the easiest and most straightforward method.

Steps:

  1. Right-click anywhere on the taskbar.

  2. Click Taskbar settings.

  3. In the Taskbar items section, toggle off Widgets.

✅ The Widgets icon disappears instantly from the taskbar.

Method 2: Disable Widgets via Keyboard Shortcut

Even after hiding the icon, you can still open Widgets using Windows + W. To disable this:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Personalization > Taskbar.

  3. Toggle Widgets off.

  4. Restart your PC to ensure the keyboard shortcut is disabled.

Method 3: Use Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro & Enterprise)

For professional users, Group Policy allows system-wide disabling of Widgets.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets

  3. Double-click Allow widgets.

  4. Select Disabled → Apply → OK.

  5. Restart your PC.

Widgets will now be completely disabled for all accounts.

Method 4: Disable Widgets Using Registry Editor (Windows 11 Home)

Home users can disable Widgets through the registry.

Steps:

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

  2. Navigate to:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

  3. Find TaskbarDa (create a DWORD 32-bit if it doesn’t exist).

  4. Set the value to:

    • 0 = Disable Widgets

    • 1 = Enable Widgets

  5. Close the editor and restart your PC.

Method 5: Prevent Widgets from Running in the Background

Even if Widgets are hidden, they may consume resources.

Steps:

  1. Open Settings (Windows + I).

  2. Go to Apps > Apps & features.

  3. Search for Windows Web Experience Pack.

  4. Click the three-dot menu → Advanced options.

  5. Under Background app permissions, select Never.

This stops Widgets from running or consuming memory.

Method 6: Uninstall Widgets Completely (Advanced)

For those who never want Widgets, you can uninstall the Windows Web Experience Pack.

Steps:

  1. Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator.

  2. Run:

    winget uninstall "Windows Web Experience Pack"

  3. Press Enter and let the process complete.

Widgets will now be fully removed.

Pros and Cons of Removing Widgets

✅ Pros:

  • Cleaner taskbar

  • Fewer distractions

  • Reduced background resource usage

❌ Cons:

  • Lose quick access to news, weather, and calendar info

  • Some features tied to Microsoft Start may no longer appear

FAQs About Widgets on Windows 11

Q1: Can I re-enable Widgets after removing them?
Yes. Go back to Taskbar settings or reinstall the Windows Web Experience Pack.

Q2: Will removing Widgets improve performance?
Slightly. Widgets fetch live data in the background, so turning them off can reduce CPU and memory usage.

Q3: Are Widgets available offline?
No, Widgets require an internet connection to update news, weather, and other live data.

Q4: Can I customize Widgets instead of removing them?
Yes. Open Widgets, click your profile icon, and manage preferences or remove specific cards.

Q5: Is it safe to uninstall the Windows Web Experience Pack?
Yes, it only affects Widgets functionality. No core Windows features are removed.

Conclusion

Removing Widgets from Windows 11 is simple and can make your taskbar cleaner and your system slightly faster. Whether you prefer a minimalist interface, want to free up resources, or just dislike the feature, you have multiple ways to disable or uninstall Widgets — from Taskbar settings to Registry tweaks or PowerShell removal.

Pick the method that fits your comfort level, and enjoy a distraction-free Windows 11 experience.

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