How To Remove Window Screen

Whenever a new operating system launches, people tin't expect to test out all the new features. In the instance of Windows 11, in that location are plenty of new goodies to attempt out. You've got the new Microsoft store, snap layouts, the new widgets page, a centered taskbar, and a ton of other new features. However, once the honeymoon stage wears off, people tend to want things back the way they were. Come up on, nobody likes change, correct? That's why I'g going to evidence y'all a few different ways to become rid of the widgets folio in Windows 11.

Widgets in Windows 11

Widgets in Windows eleven is a page of involvement's that users can customize to fit their needs. Interests such as the weather condition, sports, news, stocks, photos, traffic, calendar, and more can be added, removed, and customized past users.

To access widgets in Windows eleven, click the widget's icon on the taskbar.

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With the widgets page open up, you can click the Add together widgets button, which will open up upwardly the widget settings panel, where you can personalize your interests.

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You can also tailor the size and settings of widgets by clicking on the ellipses (...) button on whatever widget.

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Lastly, users tin can move widgets around the page by clicking on the top of a widget console and dragging information technology to a new spot on the page.

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Microsoft designed the widgets page to give users a mode of quickly accessing information they're interested in. However, many folks, myself included, have already decided that widgets aren't something we need or want. And then how practise nosotros get rid of information technology? Hither are a few methods to remove widgets from Windows 11.

Using Taskbar Settings to Remove Widgets

Using the taskbar settings folio to remove (technically hide) widgets is the quickest and easiest way to remove the widget'south icon. I say hibernate because, as you'll meet in a moment, the widgets page and functionality are still present, fifty-fifty after irresolute this setting.

To remove the widget's icon from your taskbar:

Correct-click on an empty space on your taskbar.
Click Taskbar settings.
In the settings page, turn Widgets off.

That's all in that location is to it. Or is information technology?

Like I mentioned, this setting but removes the widget icon from the taskbar; it doesn't really remove the widget page or functionality. We can test this by using the keyboard shortcut to launch the widgets page (Windows key + w).

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As you tin see, there is no widget icon; notwithstanding, nosotros can still access the widget page.

Removing Widgets Using the Registry Editor

Alright, let'south get a trivial more advanced and remove widgets using the Registry Editor. As e'er, if yous are not familiar with modifying the registry, skip this footstep as you could exercise more damage than skillful. For everyone else, hither is the registry key we'll exist modifying.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Avant-garde\TaskbarDa

By default, this should exist set to a value of 1. Double-click on TaskbarDa and modify the value to a 0, then click OK.

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While this method volition remove the widget's icon from the taskbar, unfortunately, the widget functionality still exists.

Removing Windows 11 Widgets with Group Policy

Alright, let's await at one last method for removing widgets in Windows 11. Removing widgets with group policy non only removes the icon it also completely removes the widget functionality.

Click on the Windows 11 search icon.
In the search field, type in gpedit. Click Edit grouping policy in the search results.
Navigate to the following group policy: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets
Double-click on Allow widgets.
Select Disabled and click OK.
Shut the Group Policy Editor and restart the figurer. One time you restart the computer, both the widget icon and widget functionality should be disabled.

If you lot want to make this change across your network, you'll need to alter this setting on your domain in Group Policy Direction. However, you about likely won't find this setting on your severs until y'all download the Windows 11 ADMX templates from Microsoft's website.

(This process is meant for organisation administrators.)

Once you lot've downloaded the MSI file, hither's how to go the policies added to Grouping Policy Direction.

Double-click the MSI you downloaded from Microsoft.
Click Next.
Select I take the terms in the License Agreement and click Side by side.
Brand a note of the location where the files volition be saved, or browse to a location of your choosing.
Click Next.
Click Install.
Scan to the location indicated in stride iv. By default, my location was C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Group Policy\Windows xi October 2021 Update (21H2)\PolicyDefinitions\.
Copy the unabridged PolicyDefinitions folder.
Navigate to the following SYSVOL directory: \\domain.name\SYSVOL\domain.name\Policies\
Paste the PolicyDefinitions folder in this location. If in that location is already an existing Policy Definitions folder, follow Microsoft's guide on managing a Fundamental Store for Group Policy.

Once the policies finish copying over, you'll be able to observe and set the Widgets policy in Group Policy Direction.

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Wrapping Up

Windows eleven brings with it loads of new features. Some that you'll probably beloved *coughing* snap layouts *cough*, and some that yous'd rather not have to deal with.

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Brock Bingham

Born in the '80s and raised by his NES, Brock quickly fell in love with everything tech. With over fifteen years of It feel, Brock now enjoys the life of luxury as a renowned tech blogger and receiver of many Dundie Awards. In his gratis time, Brock enjoys adventuring with his married woman, kids, and dogs, while dreaming of retirement.