Windows 11 introduced a bunch of new features to make your desktop more interactive and modern. One of those features is Widgets—a panel that gives you quick access to weather updates, news, sports scores, and other personalized info. While some users love the convenience, others find it distracting, unnecessary, or even a waste of system resources.
If you’re in the second group and just want a cleaner desktop, don’t worry. Disabling widgets in Windows 11 is super simple. In this guide, I’ll walk you through different ways to get rid of them in just a few clicks.
What Are Widgets in Windows 11?
Widgets are basically small, interactive cards that display live information. You can open them by clicking the Widgets button (a little panel icon on the taskbar) or by pressing Win + W on your keyboard.
While handy for some, they:
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Consume background resources.
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Distract you with unwanted news feeds.
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Take up unnecessary space on the taskbar.
So if you don’t use them, disabling them makes your system look and run cleaner.
Why Disable Widgets in Windows 11?
Here are a few good reasons you might want to turn off widgets:
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Improve performance: Widgets can use RAM and CPU in the background.
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Declutter the taskbar: Removing the Widgets button makes your taskbar look cleaner.
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Avoid distractions: No more random news updates popping up while you work.
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Personal preference: Some users just don’t need them—simple as that.
How to Disable Widgets in Windows 11: Step-by-Step
Let’s dive into the simple ways to disable Widgets in Windows 11.
Method 1: Disable Widgets from Taskbar Settings
This is the quickest way to get rid of the Widgets button.
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Right-click on an empty space on your taskbar.
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Select Taskbar settings.
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Under Taskbar items, toggle off Widgets.
That’s it! The Widgets button will instantly disappear from your taskbar.
Method 2: Disable Widgets Using Keyboard Shortcut Settings
Even if you remove the button, you might still accidentally open Widgets using Win + W. To completely disable them:
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Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
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Go to Personalization > Taskbar.
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Toggle off Widgets.
This ensures you won’t trigger them by mistake.
Method 3: Disable Widgets with Group Policy (For Pro & Enterprise Users)
If you’re on Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, you can use Group Policy to disable Widgets system-wide.
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Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
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Navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets -
Double-click Allow widgets.
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Select Disabled, then click Apply and OK.
Widgets will be fully disabled for all users on that computer.
Method 4: Disable Widgets Using Registry Editor
For Windows 11 Home users (no Group Policy), you can turn off Widgets via the Registry.
⚠️ Warning: Editing the Registry incorrectly can cause issues. Always back up your Registry before making changes.
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Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
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Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Dsh
(If the Dsh folder doesn’t exist, create it.) -
Right-click the right panel, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
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Name it AllowNewsAndInterests.
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Set its value to 0.
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Restart your computer.
Widgets will now be completely disabled.
How to Re-Enable Widgets If You Change Your Mind
Changed your mind? No problem!
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For Taskbar Settings, just toggle Widgets back on.
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In Group Policy, set Allow widgets to Enabled or Not Configured.
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In Registry, delete the DWORD or set its value to 1.
Your Widgets panel will return immediately.
Pros and Cons of Disabling Widgets
✅ Pros:
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Cleaner, distraction-free desktop.
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Slight performance boost (especially on low-end PCs).
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Less background network usage.
❌ Cons:
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Lose quick access to news, weather, and updates.
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Have to rely on separate apps or browser for the same info.
Conclusion
Widgets in Windows 11 are a love-it-or-hate-it feature. If you find them useful, great! But if you’d rather have a clean, distraction-free system, disabling them is quick and easy. Whether you use Taskbar settings, Group Policy, or Registry tweaks, you have full control over how you want your Windows 11 desktop to look and feel.
So go ahead—declutter your taskbar and enjoy a smoother experience without those pesky widgets popping up!
FAQs
1. Do Widgets slow down my PC in Windows 11?
Yes, Widgets can consume system resources, though usually minimal. On low-end PCs, disabling them can improve performance.
2. Can I disable Widgets in Windows 11 Home edition?
Yes, but you’ll need to use the Registry method since Group Policy is not available.
3. Will disabling Widgets affect other apps?
No, Widgets are standalone. Disabling them won’t affect other apps or features.
4. Can I remove only certain Widgets instead of the whole panel?
Yes, you can customize the panel and remove unwanted Widgets while keeping others.
5. Is it safe to disable Widgets?
Absolutely. Disabling Widgets doesn’t harm Windows—it just removes the feature.