Mastering Windows 11 Widgets: Access, Customize, and Personalize Your Panel Like a Pro

Windows 11 introduces a powerful Widgets panel, delivering real-time updates via customizable Info Cards from Microsoft. It features two main sections: a top area with widgets for weather, sports, recent photos from OneDrive, stocks, and more, plus a scrollable news feed packed with clickable headlines from reliable sources.

As a seasoned Windows expert, here's how to unlock the full potential of the Widgets panel.

Access Your Widgets

Click the Widgets icon on the taskbar (the square split into white and blue rectangles). Alternatively, use the Windows + W keyboard shortcut or swipe from the left edge on touchscreens.

At the top, you'll find splash widgets showing sports scores, weather, stock quotes, and OneDrive photos. A search bar and "Add new widgets" button sit nearby, with news sources below for scrolling.

Adjust Your Widgets

Customize your panel with these proven methods:

• To reposition a widget, long-press its top until the cursor turns into an open hand, then drag it.
• Click the three dots in the upper-right corner to resize (e.g., Weather offers small, medium, large; set location and units like Fahrenheit or Celsius), remove, or tweak it. Photos widgets adjust size only.
• Tap the widget's name in the top-left for detailed views, like expanded weather forecasts or full sports results.
• Explore available widgets via the "Add widgets" button between sections. Currently, Microsoft offers 11 options, with third-party additions expected soon.

News Feed

Below "Add widgets," the news feed starts with "Best Articles" highlights, followed by tailored stories. React with familiar icons (thumbs up, heart, surprised, thinking, sad, angry).

Next to headlines, three dots let you show more/fewer similar stories, hide sources, save (bookmark) for later, or report. Bookmarked items show a gray square around the dots.

Customize Your Interests

From the "Add widgets" button's bottom-left link or a story's three dots (> Manage Interests), refine your feed.

This opens Microsoft's interests page (Edge-based). Under "My Interests," select categories like News, Sports, Travel, Health. Drill into subtopics, e.g., Entertainment > Celebrities, Music, Books.

Other tabs: "Profile" for Microsoft News Community; "My Saves" for bookmarked stories; "History" for 48-hour reading log; "Experience Settings" to set language (default English), toggle reactions, or disable cards like finance/weather.

Currently a fun novelty for quick glances, Windows 11 Widgets hold huge promise once third-party developers join in.