How to Hide or Customize Windows 11 Taskbar Widgets

Windows 11 includes a default Widgets button on the taskbar that delivers real-time weather updates, news feeds, sports scores, and quick-glance information. While this feature can be helpful, it can also clutter your workspace or cause distractions. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions on how to completely hide the Widgets icon from your taskbar or customize its content and behavior to better suit your daily needs.

How to Hide the Widgets Button on Windows 11

If you do not use the Widgets board, you can quickly remove the icon from your taskbar using one of the following methods.

Method 1: Using the Taskbar Context Menu

  1. Right-click on an empty space on your Windows 11 taskbar.
  2. Select Taskbar settings.
  3. In the settings window that appears, locate Widgets under the Taskbar items section.
  4. Toggle the switch next to Widgets to the Off position.

Method 2: Using the Windows Settings App

  1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Click on Personalization in the left sidebar.
  3. Scroll down and click on Taskbar on the right side.
  4. Under Taskbar items, switch the toggle next to Widgets to Off.

Note: You can still open the Widgets board at any time by pressing Windows Key + W, even if the taskbar icon is hidden.

How to Customize the Windows 11 Widgets Board

If you prefer to keep the Widgets button but want to clean up the content or change how it operates, you can customize the layout, feeds, and triggers.

1. Stop Widgets from Opening on Hover

By default, hovering your mouse over the weather icon opens the full Widgets board. To disable this: 1. Click the Widgets button on your taskbar (or press Windows Key + W). 2. Click the Settings (gear icon) in the top-right corner of the Widgets window. 3. Toggle off the option labeled Open Widgets board on hover.

2. Add or Remove Specific Widgets

  1. Open the Widgets board.
  2. Click the + (Add widgets) button at the top of the panel.
  3. Browse the available widgets (such as To Do, Calendar, Traffic, or Stocks) and click the + icon next to any widget to pin it.
  4. To remove an existing widget, click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of the widget card and select Unpin widget.

3. Resize or Rearrange Widgets

  1. Open the Widgets board.
  2. Click the three dots (…) on any widget card.
  3. Select your preferred size: Small, Medium, or Large.
  4. To rearrange cards, click and drag any widget to a new position on the board.

4. Personalize the News and Information Feed

  1. Open the Widgets board.
  2. Click the Settings (gear icon) at the top.
  3. Select Manage feeds or Personalize your feed.
  4. This opens your Microsoft Start account settings in your default web browser, where you can follow or unfollow specific news topics, publishers, and interests.