Windows was the last major operating system without widget support. Microsoft used Live Tiles to provide real-time information in the Windows Start menu. The company gave us a glimpse of widget support with News and Weather widget in the taskbarHowever, everything became quite clear once Microsoft introduced support for UI elements in Windows 11 announcementHere's how to access, use, and master gadgets in Windows 11.
The Live feature is gone forever, and widgets have finally arrived in Windows OS. Microsoft didn't add a widget panel just to highlight a feature in Windows 11. The widgets in Windows 11 are carefully implemented and are definitely better than those offered by Apple on macOS.
Where are widgets located in Windows 11?
unlike MacOS Microsoft has added a Widgets shortcut to the new taskbar in Windows 11. So after upgrading to Windows 11 the right way You'll notice a Widgets button next to the Tasks view.
Click it, and Windows 11 will welcome you with a dedicated Widget panel that slides out from the left side. The Widget panel takes up nearly half of the display area, giving you a better overview of the latest information across widgets.
What are widgets in Windows 11?
As of now, widget support is limited to a few Microsoft apps like Microsoft To-Do OneDrive, Calendar, Weather, Traffic, and Tips.
Microsoft has promised to provide the necessary APIs for developers to integrate their apps across tools. As a result, we can expect to see widgets from WhatsApp, Telegram, Spotify, Evernote, and more soon.
Microsoft is also integrating the MSN News section into the widget panel. The worst part is that news tabs are now set to open in Microsoft Edge instead of your browser of choice.
How to Add or Remove Widgets in Windows 11
By default, Microsoft adds a few widgets to the Widget panel. However, you can always customize it to suit your preferences.
Step 1: Open the panel Tools from the taskbar.
Step 2: Scroll down and select addition Widget.
Step 3: Select the ones you want to add and click the “x"At the top to close the menu.
You will see the newly added Widgets in the panel.
To remove any widget, simply click on the three-dot menu in the widget and select the Remove Widget option from the context menu.
How to Resize Widgets in Windows 11
Microsoft offers three UI element sizes for developers to implement—small, medium, and large. It's then up to developers to decide how they want to use the widget with their applications.
Step 1: Open the panel Tools from the taskbar.
Step 2: Click on the three dots menu in the top right corner of the tool.
Step 3: Select from small, medium, or large and you'll see the OS resize the UI element instantly.
How to Change the Position of a Widget in Windows 11
Depending on your preferences, you may want to keep certain UI elements at the top and less useful ones at the bottom. You can easily change the position of the current UI element in Windows 11.
Open the Tools panel and hover your mouse pointer over the top of the tool. You'll notice the mouse pointer change from a pointer to a small hand. Click your mouse or trackpad, and the tool will now be movable.
Place the widget where you want it and repeat the same process with other UI elements to arrange them.
News widget
News widgets are simply a list of top news and news articles powered by Microsoft News. Microsoft has incorporated some neat touches to make them even more personalized for you.
For example, you could give a news article your reaction to the button.LikeOne can also save it for later reading using the Save for Later button.
Users can tap the three-dot menu next to a news story and share the article, block publishing, hide the story, and customize the entire reading experience with the thumbs up/down option.
How to Disable Widgets in Windows 11
Microsoft has integrated the Widgets shortcut into the taskbar. If it's unnecessarily hindering your workflow, you can disable it from the Settings menu. Here's how.
Step 1: Hover your mouse over the taskbar and right-click on it.
Step 2: Open menu Settings Taskbar.
Step 3: Disabled Toggle Widgets in the taskbar items list.
You won't see the toolbar icon on your taskbar. However, you can enable it again from the same menu.
Use Widgets Like a Pro in Windows 11
Widgets are one of the best features Microsoft has borrowed from macOS. The implementation is promising. With Microsoft's aggressive approach with the new Windows Store in Windows 11, we can expect to see more developers leverage widget functionality to attract more users.
Which app would you like to use with Widgets in Windows 11? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
