Windows 11 introduced a modern interface with rounded corners, a centered taskbar, and a variety of new features. One of those features is Widgets — a panel that shows you quick info like news, weather, sports updates, and stocks.
While some users love having this real-time information at a glance, others find Widgets distracting, unnecessary, or a drain on system resources. If you fall into the second group, this guide will show you how to turn off widgets in Windows 11 using different methods.
What Are Widgets in Windows 11?
Widgets are small, interactive cards that provide snippets of information directly on your desktop. You can access them by:
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Clicking the Widgets icon (a small weather or news icon) on the taskbar.
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Pressing Windows + W on your keyboard.
They’re powered by Microsoft Start and your Microsoft account preferences.
Why Turn Off Widgets?
You may want to disable Widgets for several reasons:
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Reduce distractions from news and notifications.
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Free up system resources (RAM, CPU, and network usage).
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Keep a cleaner, minimalist taskbar.
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Improve startup performance if Widgets are loading at login.
Method 1: Turn Off Widgets from the Taskbar Settings
This is the simplest way to remove the Widgets button from your taskbar.
Steps:
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Right-click on the taskbar.
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Select Taskbar settings.
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In the Taskbar items section, toggle off Widgets.
That’s it — the Widgets icon disappears from your taskbar instantly.
Method 2: Disable Widgets via Keyboard Shortcut
Even after hiding the taskbar button, you can still open Widgets using Windows + W. To stop this behavior, you’ll need to disable Widgets entirely.
Steps:
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Go to Personalization > Taskbar.
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Toggle off Widgets.
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Restart your PC to ensure the keyboard shortcut is disabled.
Method 3: Turn Off Widgets Using Group Policy (Windows 11 Pro & Enterprise)
If you’re using Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can disable Widgets using the Group Policy Editor.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc, and press Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Double-click Allow widgets.
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Select Disabled, then click Apply > OK.
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Restart your computer.
Widgets will now be completely disabled system-wide.
Method 4: Disable Widgets via Registry Editor (All Editions)
For users on Windows 11 Home, the Registry method works well.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to:
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Find the value named TaskbarDa.
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If it doesn’t exist, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it
TaskbarDa.
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Set the value to:
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0= Disable Widgets -
1= Enable Widgets
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Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.
Method 5: Stop Widgets from Running in the Background
Even if Widgets are hidden, they may still run in the background.
Steps:
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Open Settings with Windows + I.
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Go to Apps > Apps & features.
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Find Windows Web Experience Pack.
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Click the three-dot menu and select Advanced options.
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Under Background app permissions, choose Never.
This prevents Widgets from consuming system resources.
Method 6: Uninstall Widgets Completely (Advanced)
If you never plan to use Widgets, you can uninstall the Windows Web Experience Pack (the service powering Widgets).
Steps:
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Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator.
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Run the following command:
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Press Enter and let the process complete.
Widgets will now be completely removed from your system.
Pros and Cons of Turning Off Widgets
✅ Pros:
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Cleaner taskbar interface.
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Less distraction and fewer interruptions.
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Potential performance improvements.
❌ Cons:
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Lose quick access to weather, news, and calendar updates.
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Requires more manual steps to check information.
FAQs About Windows 11 Widgets
Q1: Can I bring back Widgets after disabling them?
Yes. Simply re-enable them from Taskbar settings or reinstall the Windows Web Experience Pack from Microsoft Store.
Q2: Will disabling Widgets improve performance?
Yes, slightly. Since Widgets constantly fetch live data, disabling them can reduce background activity.
Q3: Are Widgets available offline?
Not fully. They rely on internet connectivity to update news, sports, and weather.
Q4: Can I customize Widgets instead of disabling them?
Yes. You can click your profile icon inside Widgets and manage news preferences or remove specific cards.
Conclusion
Widgets in Windows 11 are useful for quick updates, but they’re not for everyone. Whether you just want a cleaner taskbar or need to save system resources, you have multiple ways to disable or completely remove Widgets.
The simplest method is through Taskbar settings, but advanced users can also use Group Policy, Registry Editor, or even uninstall the Widgets package. Choose the method that best suits your needs, and enjoy a distraction-free Windows 11 experience.