What are widgets in Windows 11?

With so many things competing for your attention, staying focused on the task at hand can feel like a challenge. If you’re keeping tabs on the stock market or a favorite sports game during your productive hours, you may be tempted to check you phone or open a new app on your computer. Instead, get content from your favorite apps without navigating away from your work with Windows 11 widgets. Learn what widgets are and how to use widgets to stay organized and productive.

What is a widget?

A widget is a small card that runs on your Windows 11 desktop and gives you quick access to a favorite app or feature. It can display dynamic weather information, news headlines, calendar appointments, sports scores, and more. Your personalized widgets are displayed in your widgets board, which you can find by hovering over or selecting the weather icon in your taskbar or selecting Windows logo key + W. Customize your widgets board to show you snippets of information you want at a glance with minimal interruption to your workflow.

How to design your widget board

You have control over which widgets to include in your widget board, the information they provide, and where they appear within the board. Here’s how to install, customize, pin, and unpin widgets to create your perfect setup.

Install a new widget

You can choose from widgets that are available on your device or a wide selection of downloadable widgets.

1. Open the widgets board by selecting the weather icon in your taskbar or Windows logo key + W.
2. Navigate to Add widgets and select the plus sign (+) next to the desired widgets.
3. To explore more widget options, select Find more widgets at the bottom of the window or head to the Microsoft Store.

Customize your widgets

Customization options vary depending on the widget. For example, choose which stocks to follow in a finance widget or set your location in a weather widget. Here’s how to get started:

1. Choose the widget you want to customize.
2. Select ... in the upper-right corner and Customize widget.

Pin and unpin your widgets

Pinning and unpinning widgets keeps them in a predictable place for easy access. Pin a widget by selecting the pin icon in the upper-right corner of the widget. Select Unpin to release the widget.

The benefits of using widgets

Widgets are one of many Windows 11 features designed to make life that much easier. Here are a few of the benefits of using them:

• Save time. They allow you to quickly access important information without having to open a new window or website.
• Customize. They can be customized to suit your needs so you can prioritize what’s important.
• Multitask. They help you stay organized and productive while still giving you access to information at a glance.
• Access. They can be a great accessibility tool, as they make it possible to view information briefly without needing to navigate complex menus.

Widgets are a simple but powerful tool that can help you stay productive. Take advantage of widgets and more productivity tools when you use Windows 11.