How to Enable or Disable Widgets icon on Windows 11 Taskbar?

In Windows 11, Widgets are a particular area created by Microsoft that displays dynamic content. It shows us content from our applications and new content such as news and information from sources supported by Microsoft. As the number of widgets increases, the program consumes more resources of your computer. By clicking on its icon on the taskbar, it will show a pop-up window on the left side of the screen in Windows 11.

Many users don’t like widgets hanging around on the taskbar or want to get rid of them permanently; we have compiled a guaranteed list of solutions. First, you can open it by clicking Windows + W keys simultaneously. That means you will not miss this feature once you remove the widget from the Windows 11 taskbar. Simply activate widget using keyboard shortcut Windows + W. Additionally, one should note that these widgets are immovable and cannot resize.

Four simple ways are available to turn on or turn off Widgets on Windows 11 Taskbar. These are the following:-

1. Remove Widgets from Windows 11 Taskbar using Taskbar Context Menu.
2. Eliminate Widgets from Windows 11 Taskbar from the Settings app.
3. Discharge Widgets from Windows 11 Taskbar using Group Policy.
4. Remove Widgets from Windows 11 Taskbar using Registry Editor.

How to Remove Widgets on Windows 11 Taskbar using Taskbar Context Menu?

Here, you can only remove Widgets from the Windows 11 Taskbar using Taskbar Context Menu, which means in the future, if you want, you can not use this procedure to add the Widgets icon to the taskbar.

It is easy; firstly, right-click on the Widget icon on the taskbar. Then, select the “Hide from taskbar” option from the context menu. Under Taskbar Items, locate the Widgets option and turn the toggle to Off. The widgets icon will be no more available on the Taskbar.

How to Remove Widgets on Windows 11 Taskbar using the Settings app?

Step 1. First, click on the Search icon on the Taskbar and type Settings. In the available results, click on the Settings app to open it.

Step 2. Now, click on the Personalization category in the Settings app that opens.

Step 3. Then, scroll from the right side pane and click the Taskbar.

Step 4. After that, turn the toggle to the Off position next to Widgets.

After performing the above steps, the Widgets icon will become no more visible on the Windows 11 taskbar. If you change your decision and want to see the Widgets icon on the Windows 11 taskbar again, repeat the above steps, and in step 4, turn the toggle to the On position next to the Widgets option.

How to Remove Widgets on Windows 11 Taskbar using Group Policy Editor?

Step 1. First, launch the Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. Now, in the Local Group Policy Editor window that opens, navigate for the following path from the left side pane:-

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets

Step 3. Then, on the right side of the Widgets folder, double-click on the policy name “Allow widgets” to change its settings.

Step 4. After that, click Apply.

Step 5. Finally, click OK.

Once you complete the above steps, the Widgets icon will remove immediately from the taskbar. If you want to pin the Widgets icon again on the taskbar on Windows 11, repeat the above steps and in step 3, select the option “Not Configure” or “Enabled.”

How to Remove Widgets on Windows 11 Taskbar using Registry Editor?

To remove the Widgets from Windows 11 Taskbar using Registry Editor, use the following steps:-

Step 1. First, open Registry Editor.

Step 2. Now, navigate to the following key in the left sidebar of Windows Registry:-

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft

Step 3. Then, right-click the Microsoft folder and select New > Key in the context menu.

Step 4. After that, rename the newly created key as Dsh.

Step 5. Next, right-click the Dsh key, and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 6. Then, rename the new value as AllowNewsAndInterests.

Step 7. Finally, restart your Windows 11 computer or laptop to apply the changes.

After completing the above registry steps, Windows 11 will disable everything related to Widgets, including the taskbar button and the option in the Settings app. However, Windows + W shortcut will do nothing.

That’s it for the article.

I hope this post will be helpful to you.

Good luck & Keep reading, guys.

Also, read How to Display Weather on your Windows 11 Taskbar?