How to Install and Use Widgets on Windows 11 (Full Tutorial + Pro Tips)

Windows 11 brings back the power of widgets—small, glanceable apps that deliver news, weather, calendar events, and more—right to your desktop. Whether you’re organizing your day or staying informed, widgets can make your workflow smoother and more personalized.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to enable, install, and customize widgets in Windows 11. We’ll also cover how to pin them, manage permissions, and explore third-party widget options for even more functionality.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to master widgets in Windows 11 and tailor them to boost your productivity or aesthetics.

Step-by-Step Guide: Enabling and Using Widgets in Windows 11

1. Open the Widgets Board

Click the Widgets icon on the taskbar (a blue-and-white square with a curved line).
Or press Win + W to open the Widgets panel instantly.

2. Sign In with Your Microsoft Account

If prompted, sign in to your Microsoft account to access personalized content like calendar, emails, and location-based weather.

3. Browse Default Widgets

Scroll through built-in widgets like:
- Weather
- Calendar
- To Do
- News Feed
- Traffic
- Sports scores
Click the ellipsis (…) on any widget to manage settings or remove it.

4. Add a New Widget

Click the + (plus icon) at the top right of the widget panel.
Choose from available widgets to add them to your board.
Click the widget you want, and it will be added instantly.

5. Customize a Widget

Click the ellipsis (…) > Customize Widget.
Modify location (for weather), topics (for news), or task lists (for To Do).
Your preferences will be saved automatically.

6. Rearrange or Resize Widgets

Drag and drop widgets to rearrange them on the board.
Resize by clicking the ellipsis (…) > Resize, then choose Small, Medium, or Large (options vary by widget).

7. Pin the Widgets Panel (Optional)

As of Windows 11 23H2, there’s no native way to pin widgets to the desktop—they stay within the widgets panel.
For desktop widgets, see third-party solutions below.

8. Manage Widget Permissions

Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Location to allow or block access for location-based widgets like Weather or Traffic.

9. Hide the Widgets Button

If you want to remove the widget icon from the taskbar:
- Right-click the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings.
- Toggle Widgets to Off.

Pro Tips & Workflow Improvements

🔄 Refresh Widgets: Use the refresh icon on the top right of the panel to force an update.
📌 Use Microsoft To Do Integration: Tasks added in the To Do app will sync with the widget automatically.
📰 Refine News Feed: Click Manage interests in the News widget to personalize your feed via MSN.
🌐 Try Edge Widgets: If you use Microsoft Edge, try sidebar widgets for quick access to web tools.
🎨 Dark Mode Support: Widgets follow your system theme. Enable dark mode via Settings > Personalization > Colors.

Advanced Use Case: Use Third-Party Widgets on Desktop

If you want live desktop widgets, use third-party tools like:

🧊 Rainmeter: Fully customizable desktop skins/widgets.
💼 Widget Launcher (via Microsoft Store): Offers weather, calendar, CPU monitor, and more.
📊 BeWidgets: Clean modern widgets for time, date, weather, and custom feeds.

These apps let you place widgets outside the Widgets panel and directly onto your desktop for real-time visibility.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

Widgets Not Opening?
- Make sure you’re signed into a Microsoft account.
- Restart Windows Explorer or the PC.
Missing Widgets Option in Taskbar?
- Check for system updates (Settings > Windows Update).
- Ensure you’re on Windows 11 build 22000.168 or higher.
Weather Widget Shows Wrong Location?
- Customize manually via the widget’s ellipsis menu.
- Or adjust location permissions in Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
Widgets Panel Freezes or Lags
- Try Win + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter to reset Microsoft Store cache.
- Ensure Graphics Drivers are up to date.
Can’t Resize Certain Widgets
- Not all widgets support resizing—try different ones like Weather or To Do.

Conclusion

Widgets in Windows 11 are a powerful way to stay organized, informed, and efficient—right from your desktop. With just a few clicks, you can personalize your experience and even extend it using third-party apps.

Now that you’ve mastered the built-in options, try adding live desktop widgets or syncing with other Microsoft services for even more impact.

Want more? Check out our guide on [How to Use Live Wallpapers in Windows 11] next!