How to Disable Windows Widgets in Windows 11

Disable Widgets from Taskbar Settings

4 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

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METHOD

Method 1

Overview

The simplest way to disable Widgets is directly via the Taskbar settings.

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Next Method

Open Taskbar settings

Right-click an empty space on the taskbar

Select Taskbar settings from the menu

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Find Widgets toggle

Under Taskbar items section

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Turn off Widgets

Switch the Widgets toggle to Off

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Restart if needed

Restart or log out to apply changes

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Use Group Policy Editor

3 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

2/5

METHOD

Method 2

Overview

Group Policy lets you disable Widgets entirely at a system level.

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Open Group Policy Editor

Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, press Enter

Caution: If gpedit.msc is missing, check the solution here to fix it:

Fix Missing gpedit.msc

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Navigate to Widgets setting

Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Widgets

Double-click Allow Widgets

Select Disabled → click OK

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Restart PC

Applies changes to all users

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Disable via Registry Editor

4 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

3/5

METHOD

Method 3

Overview

This method works even if you don’t have Group Policy Editor.

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Open Registry Editor

Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter

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Go to Registry path

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Dsh

Create Dsh key (if missing) : Right-click Microsoft → New → Key → name it Dsh

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Add DWORD

Right-click on Dsh, select New.

Choose DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it AllowNewsAndInterests.

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Set value to 0

This disables Widgets system-wide

Tips: Right-click Dsh → choose Export to back up. Restart PC to apply the Registry changes.

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Remove Widgets Using PowerShell

3 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

4/5

METHOD

Method 4

Overview

To remove Widgets for your user account, use PowerShell to uninstall the Widgets app.

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Open PowerShell as Admin

Right-click Start → select Windows Terminal (Admin)

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Run uninstall command

Get-AppxPackage WindowsWidgets | Remove-AppxPackage

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Restart or sign out/in

Completes uninstallation for your user

Tip: This method is reversible by reinstalling Widgets from the Microsoft Store if needed later.

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Hide Widgets Icon Only (Keep Running)

5 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

5/5

METHOD

Method 5

Overview

If you want to keep Widgets active but remove the icon from the Taskbar:

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Open Registry Editor

Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter

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Step 1 of 5

Navigate to Explorer key

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

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Create or modify DWORD

Name it TaskbarDa

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Set value to 0

Hides the Widgets icon

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Restart Explorer Open

Task Manager → Right-click Windows Explorer → Click Restart

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Pro Tips

Always back up your system before editing the Registry or Group Policy.

Most changes require a reboot or sign-out to take effect.

To restore Widgets, reinstall the Windows Web Experience Pack via Microsoft Store or use PowerShell for advanced users.

How to Disable Windows Widgets in Windows 11

Deepak Yadav

Administrator Access

Backup Your System

Windows Edition Check

Disable Widgets from Taskbar Settings

Use Group Policy Editor

Disable via Registry Editor

Remove Widgets Using PowerShell

Hide Widgets Icon Only (Keep Running)

How to Disable Windows Widgets in Windows 11

Deepak Yadav

Prerequisites

Administrator Access

Backup Your System

Windows Edition Check

Disable Widgets from Taskbar Settings

Use Group Policy Editor

Disable via Registry Editor

Remove Widgets Using PowerShell

Hide Widgets Icon Only (Keep Running)