Windows 11 brought a modern interface, sleek design, and several new features — one of them being Widgets. While some users find Widgets useful for quick access to weather updates, stock prices, news, and calendar reminders, others consider them unnecessary clutter that slows down performance. If you’re in the latter group, you might be asking: “How do I uninstall Widgets on Windows 11?”
Don’t worry — you’re not alone. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover multiple methods to uninstall or disable Widgets in Windows 11, explain why you might want to do it, and help you choose the best option depending on your needs.
Why Uninstall Widgets on Windows 11?
Before we jump into the steps, let’s understand why so many users want to remove Widgets:
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Performance Boost: Widgets consume background resources and memory. Removing them can make your PC feel snappier.
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Cleaner Taskbar: The Widgets icon on the taskbar can feel distracting if you never use it.
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Privacy Concerns: Widgets often pull content from Microsoft services and online sources, which some users prefer to avoid.
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Customization: Many users simply want a minimalist Windows 11 experience without extra bloat.
If any of these reasons resonate with you, uninstalling or disabling Widgets could improve your overall Windows experience.
Can You Really Uninstall Widgets in Windows 11?
Yes — but there’s a catch.
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Disabling Widgets: The easiest option is to turn off the Widgets button and prevent background activity.
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Uninstalling Widgets: To completely remove Widgets, you’ll need to use PowerShell or the Command Prompt, since Microsoft doesn’t provide a simple toggle in Settings.
We’ll walk through both approaches so you can decide which works best for you.
Method 1: Disable Widgets from Taskbar Settings
If you just want to hide the Widgets button without fully uninstalling it, this is the simplest method.
Steps:
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Right-click on the taskbar (an empty area).
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Select Taskbar settings from the menu.
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Under Taskbar items, find Widgets.
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Toggle the switch off.
👉 The Widgets icon will disappear from your taskbar instantly. However, the feature still exists in the background.
Method 2: Disable Widgets via Group Policy Editor (Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise)
If you’re running Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use Group Policy Editor to disable Widgets system-wide.
Steps:
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Press Win + R, type
gpedit.msc, and press Enter. -
In the left panel, navigate to:
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Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Widgets
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On the right side, double-click Allow widgets.
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Select Disabled.
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Click Apply and then OK.
After restarting your PC, Widgets will no longer run.
Method 3: Uninstall Widgets Using PowerShell
If you want to completely remove Widgets from Windows 11, PowerShell is the most effective method.
Steps:
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Press Win + S and search for PowerShell.
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Right-click Windows PowerShell and choose Run as administrator.
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Copy and paste the following command:
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Press Enter.
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Wait for the uninstallation process to complete.
👉 This will remove the Windows Web Experience Pack, which powers Widgets.
Method 4: Uninstall Widgets Using Command Prompt
If you prefer Command Prompt over PowerShell, you can use the Winget package manager as well.
Steps:
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Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
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Enter the command:
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Press Enter and wait until the process completes.
Once done, Widgets will be gone from your PC.
Method 5: Use Registry Editor to Disable Widgets
⚠️ Warning: Editing the Registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly. Proceed with caution.
Steps:
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Press Win + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. -
Navigate to:
(If the “Dsh” key doesn’t exist, create it.)
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Right-click in the right pane → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
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Name it: AllowNewsAndInterests.
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Set its value to 0.
Restart your PC, and Widgets should be disabled.
Method 6: Third-Party Tools to Manage Widgets
If you don’t want to mess with PowerShell or Registry Editor, you can use third-party customization tools such as:
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O&O AppBuster – Easily uninstall Windows apps, including Widgets.
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ThisIsWin11 – A free tool to remove bloatware and tweak settings.
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Winaero Tweaker – Helps disable or remove system features like Widgets.
These tools provide a user-friendly interface, making it safer for beginners.
Pros and Cons of Uninstalling Widgets
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Frees up system resources | Requires advanced steps to reinstall later |
| Cleaner taskbar | Some Windows updates may reinstall Widgets |
| Less background activity | You lose quick access to news, weather, and calendar |
| Better privacy | Not officially supported by Microsoft |
How to Reinstall Widgets in Windows 11
Changed your mind? No worries — you can easily reinstall Widgets.
Steps:
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Open the Microsoft Store.
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Search for Windows Web Experience Pack.
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Click Install.
After installation, restart your PC, and Widgets will return.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I uninstall Widgets without PowerShell?
Yes, you can hide or disable Widgets through taskbar settings, Group Policy Editor, or Registry Editor. However, for full removal, PowerShell or Command Prompt is needed.
2. Will uninstalling Widgets improve performance?
Yes, in most cases. Removing Widgets frees up background processes and reduces memory usage, which can slightly improve system responsiveness.
3. Can I reinstall Widgets later if I uninstall them?
Absolutely. Just reinstall the Windows Web Experience Pack from the Microsoft Store.
4. Do Widgets come back after Windows updates?
Sometimes, yes. Major Windows updates may reinstall Widgets automatically. You may need to repeat the uninstall steps.
5. Is it safe to use third-party tools to remove Widgets?
Yes, if you use trusted tools like O&O AppBuster or ThisIsWin11. Always download from official sources to avoid malware.
Conclusion
Removing Widgets from Windows 11 can give you a cleaner, faster, and more private experience. Whether you just want to disable the taskbar icon or completely uninstall Widgets using PowerShell, you now have multiple methods to choose from.
If you value performance and minimalism, uninstalling Widgets is worth it. But if you occasionally use them for quick news or weather updates, disabling them might be a better balance.
👉 The good news? You can always reinstall Widgets later if you change your mind.
So, what’s your next move — will you disable or uninstall Widgets today?