Ah, the news and weather widget on the Windows 11 taskbar—a nifty little feature for some, but an annoying distraction for others. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why Microsoft thought sticking breaking news and weather updates onto your taskbar was a good idea, you’re not alone. While some users appreciate that little widget updating them on current events and local conditions at a glance, there are plenty of us who would rather not have constant, often irrelevant updates cluttering our workspace.
Let's break down how to disable—and re-enable—this feature so you can finally regain control over your taskbar and keep things looking the way you want them. Here’s your step-by-step guide to removing the Windows 11 news and weather widget like a pro.
Some people find it useful as it connects with a broader push for a more integrated experience with Microsoft services like MSN and Bing. For those who don’t? Frankly, it’s little more than digital clutter.
One criticism often levied against the widget is its "MSN bias”—news headlines primarily sourced from MSN News, which doesn't always offer the balanced or tailored updates you might expect. While tweaking your feed helps, aficionados of third-party tools like Feedly may still prefer using separate, personalized apps.
How do you feel about Microsoft packing in features like this? Hit the comments and let’s discuss! Also, if you're looking for more guides on managing Windows 11, check out some of our other articles on boosting performance, managing privacy settings, or taskbar alignment tweaks. Stay tuned for all things Windows, and happy tweaking!
Source: Tom's Guide https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/windows-operating-systems/how-to-remove-the-windows-11-news-and-weather-widget
Let's break down how to disable—and re-enable—this feature so you can finally regain control over your taskbar and keep things looking the way you want them. Here’s your step-by-step guide to removing the Windows 11 news and weather widget like a pro.
Why Is This Widget Even a Thing?
First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room: Why does it exist in the first place? Microsoft touted the widget as a way to keep users informed with live weather, stock prices, and breaking news at a glance. It was introduced as part of Microsoft’s pushed emphasis on personalization in Windows 11. But let’s be real—more often than not, it ends up serving slightly clickbaity news articles and irrelevant weather notifications, looking more like an overzealous younger sibling than a "power user" feature.Some people find it useful as it connects with a broader push for a more integrated experience with Microsoft services like MSN and Bing. For those who don’t? Frankly, it’s little more than digital clutter.
How to Disable the News and Weather Widget
Thankfully, Microsoft provides a straightforward way to disable the widget if it isn’t your style. Just follow these steps:Step 1: Right-Click Your Windows 11 Taskbar
- Find a blank space on your taskbar, hover your mouse, and give it a good ol’ right-click.
- A menu will pop up, giving you several options related to taskbar customization.
Step 2: Open Taskbar Settings
- In the menu that pops up, click Taskbar Settings. This will open up the settings for all things taskbar-related.
Step 3: Toggle Off the Widgets Option
- Once you’re in the settings menu, scroll down to find the Widgets toggle.
- Simply turn that toggle off, and voilà—the news and weather widget disappears from your taskbar as if it was never there!
Step 4: Fine-Tune (Optional)
If you’re feeling experimental, you can customize the content of your widget instead of outright removing it. To do this:- Click the widget itself to pull up the Widgets pane.
- Look for the gear icon in the top-right corner—this opens the Widget Settings menu.
- From there, you can choose which news sources feed you updates, adjust what kind of information appears (stocks, weather, traffic), or disable content selectively.
How to Re-Enable It (If You Miss It Later)
So, you’ve disabled the widget and basked in the glory of an uncluttered taskbar for a while. But maybe you realize you'd like it back for quick glances at the weather. Re-enabling it is just as easy:- Head back to the Taskbar Settings using the same right-click context menu.
- Toggle the Widgets setting back on.
- The widget will reappear on your taskbar, good as new.
But Wait—Should You Really Remove It?
Here’s where a bit of analysis comes in. Is outright removal the best move for you? Let’s explore a few scenarios:- You Should Remove It if you're highly task-focused. Widgets can distract you and even interrupt workflows if you have a habit of glancing at buzzword headlines every now and then.
- You Might Keep It if you have a lifestyle where instant info, like storm warnings or financial tracking, plays a significant role.
What's Happening Under the Hood?
For the technically curious, you might wonder how this widget works. Essentially, it’s a lightweight application that pulls data dynamically from multiple Microsoft services, including MSN.com, Bing, and your Microsoft account (assuming you’re signed in). That’s why your preferences carry over if you switch PCs, and it’s also why the widget can sometimes feel like glorified promotional material for Microsoft’s ecosystem.One criticism often levied against the widget is its "MSN bias”—news headlines primarily sourced from MSN News, which doesn't always offer the balanced or tailored updates you might expect. While tweaking your feed helps, aficionados of third-party tools like Feedly may still prefer using separate, personalized apps.
Alternative Taskbar Tips: Beyond Widgets
As long as you’re rolling up your sleeves to adjust the taskbar, here are some other neat tweaks you might not know about:- Move It Back to the Left: If you’re among those who hate the centered Start menu, you can realign it. Go to Taskbar Settings → Taskbar Behaviors → Taskbar Alignment, and change it to Left.
- Taskbar Overflow Fixes: Got too many pinned apps? Enable the taskbar’s "overflow" feature, which neatly organizes any additional pinned icons into a dropdown menu.
- Add or Remove Icons: While disabling widgets, you can also nuke Search, Task View, and Chat to achieve a minimalistic look.
Final Thoughts
Love it or hate it, the Windows 11 news and weather widget is just one facet of Microsoft's broader push to modernize and "personalize" your PC experience. For those who embrace minimalism or are obsessed with productivity, disabling it can provide peace and quiet on the digital front. But if you’re someone who wants everything—news updates, stock tracking, and weather tidbits—at arm’s reach, don’t knock it until you fully customize its potential.How do you feel about Microsoft packing in features like this? Hit the comments and let’s discuss! Also, if you're looking for more guides on managing Windows 11, check out some of our other articles on boosting performance, managing privacy settings, or taskbar alignment tweaks. Stay tuned for all things Windows, and happy tweaking!
Source: Tom's Guide https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/windows-operating-systems/how-to-remove-the-windows-11-news-and-weather-widget
