Windows 11 introduced a sleek new design, smoother performance, and handy features like the Widgets panel. While Widgets are great for quickly checking the weather, news, or stock updates, not everyone loves them. Some people find them distracting, resource-hungry, or simply unnecessary. If that sounds like you, don’t worry—you can easily disable them.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step methods to turn off Widgets in Windows 11. Whether you want to hide them temporarily or get rid of them completely, you’ll find all the solutions right here.
What Are Windows 11 Widgets?
Widgets in Windows 11 are like mini apps that show you real-time information. Think of them as a digital dashboard. They display things like:
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News updates
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Weather forecasts
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Calendar events
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Sports scores
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Stock market info
They’re handy if you love quick glances at info. But if you never use them, they’re just sitting there eating up system resources.
Why You Might Want to Turn Off Widgets
Before we jump into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Some common reasons include:
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Performance: Widgets can use memory and system resources.
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Distraction-Free Workflow: The pop-up can get in the way while you’re working.
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Privacy Concerns: Widgets often connect to the internet and show personalized content.
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Minimalist Setup: Some people prefer a clean, uncluttered taskbar.
Different Ways to Turn Off Widgets in Windows 11
There isn’t just one way to disable Widgets. Depending on your preference, you can hide them, disable them, or even remove them entirely. Let’s look at each method step by step.
Method 1: Turn Off Widgets from the Taskbar Settings
The simplest way is through taskbar settings. Here’s how:
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Right-click on the Taskbar.
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Select Taskbar Settings.
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Under Taskbar Items, toggle off Widgets.
That’s it! The Widgets icon disappears instantly.
Method 2: Disable Widgets Using Task Manager
If you don’t just want to hide them but actually stop them from running:
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Find Windows Widgets (or Widget.exe) in the list.
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Right-click and choose End Task.
This kills the process, but note—it may restart after rebooting.
Method 3: Disable Widgets via Group Policy Editor (Pro Versions Only)
If you’re on Windows 11 Pro, you can use Group Policy:
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Press Win + R, type
gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets -
Double-click Allow Widgets.
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Select Disabled and click Apply.
This completely disables Widgets for all users on the PC.
Method 4: Disable Widgets via Registry Editor
If you’re on Windows 11 Home (no Group Policy), use the Registry:
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Press Win + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. -
Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced -
Find TaskbarDa.
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If it’s not there, create a new DWORD (32-bit) value and name it TaskbarDa.
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Set its value to 0.
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Restart your computer.
This removes Widgets completely.
Method 5: Turn Off Widgets from Startup Apps
Sometimes, Widgets run in the background even when you don’t want them. You can stop them from starting up:
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Open Task Manager.
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Go to the Startup tab.
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Locate Windows Widgets.
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Right-click and choose Disable.
Now Widgets won’t load at boot.
Can You Uninstall Widgets Completely?
Technically, Widgets are part of the Windows Web Experience Pack, so they aren’t a standalone app you can easily uninstall. However, advanced users can use PowerShell commands to remove the package.
For most people, simply disabling Widgets via Taskbar or Registry is enough.
Pros and Cons of Turning Off Widgets
Like every Windows feature, Widgets have their pros and cons.
Pros of Disabling Widgets
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Better performance
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Cleaner taskbar
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Less distraction
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Reduced internet data usage
Cons of Disabling Widgets
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No quick access to weather/news
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You lose handy real-time updates
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Some users miss the personalization
Do Widgets Really Slow Down Windows 11?
Not dramatically, but yes—Widgets run in the background and use system memory. On powerful PCs, you might not notice. But on laptops with limited RAM, disabling them can free up resources for smoother performance.
Alternative Ways to Get News & Weather Without Widgets
Don’t want Widgets but still want updates? Try these:
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Weather app – Built-in app gives detailed forecasts.
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News apps/websites – Microsoft Start, Flipboard, or Google News.
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Taskbar Weather – You can add weather directly to the taskbar without Widgets.
Step-by-Step Recap
Here’s a quick recap of all methods:
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Taskbar Settings → Toggle off Widgets.
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Task Manager → End Widget process.
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Group Policy Editor → Disable Widgets completely.
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Registry Editor → Turn off Widgets in Windows 11 Home.
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Startup Settings → Stop Widgets from running at boot.
Should You Turn Off Widgets?
If you value speed, simplicity, and privacy, turning them off makes sense. But if you enjoy convenience and quick updates, keeping them on might be better.
It’s really about personal preference.
Conclusion
Windows 11 Widgets are a cool addition, but they’re not for everyone. The good news? You have complete control. Whether you want to hide them, disable them, or wipe them out completely, there are multiple ways to do it.
By following this guide, you can customize your Windows 11 setup to be exactly how you like it—clean, fast, and distraction-free.
FAQs
1. Can I turn Widgets back on after disabling them?
Yes! Just go back to Taskbar Settings and toggle them on again.
2. Do Widgets affect battery life on laptops?
Yes, slightly. Since they refresh in the background, disabling them can save a bit of battery.
3. Is disabling Widgets safe?
Absolutely. It won’t harm your system in any way.
4. Do I need admin rights to disable Widgets?
Not for Taskbar Settings, but you do for Group Policy or Registry methods.
5. Can I uninstall Widgets permanently?
Not directly, but advanced users can remove the Windows Web Experience Pack using PowerShell. For most people, disabling is easier.