Top Widgets for Windows 11

Right now, time is super important in our lives, so it’s crucial to use it wisely. Microsoft’s newest system, Windows 11, has these cool things called Widgets. Think of Widgets like tiny, easy-to-use apps that can handle your everyday tasks in a snap. They’re small, and light, and you can personalize them. The best part is, that you only need these Widgets to do stuff and there is no need for lots of steps or opening big apps for small tasks or quick updates.

This setup helps you save time. You can easily do your favorite daily tasks using these Widgets. However, it’s crucial to identify which widget suits your needs and performs specific actions or provides essential information. Without understanding a widget’s purpose, building your widget list becomes challenging. To simplify your decision-making process, we’ve compiled a list of the top 11 widgets widely favored by users. Plus, we’ve got a guide that covers everything about Widgets, from adding them and accessing them through straightforward steps.

What are widgets in Windows 11?

So basically Widgets are designed to make users work much easier than expected and give them all they want to access on the tip of their hand. Talking about the Widgets on Windows 11 are compact and lightweight applications with a glanceable interface and provide personalized

Dashboard from where you can access, Update, and get all the required information.

The most important thing here is you don’t need to launch the full flex version of the application which requires additional steps and more of your system resources. This way your widget can help users to read all the real-time information and allow access to the features from Desktop only.

Not only can you access the features in a more hands-on way, but you can get full customization settings available for these Widgets, you can customize them according to your personal choices and set shortcuts for them, and much more.

How to access Widgets in Windows 11?

It is much easier to locate and access the Widgets after the update on Windows 11, You don’t need to make any extra effort to find out as they are available on the desktop taskbar of Windows 11.

• Use the Windows 11 shortcut that is “Windows + W” to open the Widgets panel.
• Another Alternative to this is to Click on the Widget icon located on the left corner of the taskbar. Generally, it has an icon that looks like a Weather Visual interface.
• Once the Widgets panel opens, you can access any built-in Widgets that are already installed by Windows OS, such as Weather, Traffic, Calender, etc. Along with that, you can add any other widgets by downloading them from Microsoft Store.

As you have done with your Widgets work, you can close it by just clicking outside the widgets panel.

How to add Widgets to the Widget section?

Adding the Widgets in your Widgets panels is much easier than you think and can be done in a few steps just follow the below steps:

• Use the Windows 11 shortcut that is “Windows + W” to open the Widgets panel.
• Next, Click on the + Symbol that is next to the Widgets, To add widgets.
• Choose the Widget that you want to add in the Widgets panel.
• Lastly, Click on the “Pin” Button.

This way, you can add any built-in Widgets that are already pre-installed by Windows 11 operating system.

How to Download Widgets in Windows 11?

Not every time you need the built-in Widgets, Sometimes you need much more than that and need extra customization or different features to access through this handy Widget option.

So here, Microsoft Store offers you bundles of free or paid Widgets that you can download and use for more of users’ convenience.

• Use the Windows 11 shortcut that is “Windows + W” to open the Widgets panel.
• Next, Click on the + Symbol that is next to the Widgets, To add widgets.
• Now, head over to the last and click on “Find More Widgets”.
• It will open the Microsoft Store page with the available option of widgets.
• Lastly, According to your preference Download and add your personalized widgets in the Widgets panel.

We have already mentioned the steps to add widgets, you can follow them for more details and access your most needed application in first touch.

Top Widgets for Windows 11

1. Weather Widget

The Windows weather widget is widely known as one of the most popular built-in widgets. It offers real-time updates on atmospheric conditions, allowing users to check current weather and forecast for their location or other places they plan to visit. Accessible from the Windows 11 taskbar, this widget provides various capabilities.

Beyond basic weather updates, the widget offers detailed information such as local temperature, wind pressure, and precise times for sunrise and sunset. For those engaged in frequent travel, the hourly forecasting feature proves especially beneficial. It enables users to plan their schedules wisely based on accurate predictions that are continuously updated in real-time. As weather conditions change, users are kept informed with the latest information, ensuring they’re well-prepared for upcoming trips or plans.

One notable feature of this application is the ability to set notifications or reminders for different climatic dangers. Whenever predefined limits are exceeded, the app sends alerts, keeping users informed and safe.

Features:

• It Receives real-time information on current weather conditions.
• Regularly updates data to keep users informed about the latest weather conditions.
• Graphical View and Maps provide a user-friendly interface.
• Provides forecasting and alerts for potential dangers in atmospheric or weather conditions.

2. To Do Widget

The next widget we’d like to highlight is an extremely useful application for managing your daily tasks. It allows you to keep track of all your important activities, ensuring that you stay on course to achieve your daily or periodic goals.

With the To-Do widget, users can personalize their tasks and create a to-do list. This helps in prioritizing work and accomplishing the most important goals first. When it comes to the interface and functionality of this application, the To-Do widget offers various styles and customization options for tasks. For example, you can apply colors to the sheet, choose different fonts, and utilize other styling options. Doing this makes it easier to distinguish tasks based on their nature and prioritize them accordingly.

In addition to these features, customizable tags can be set for tasks. This proves handy when you need to update or monitor the status of a task, such as marking it as done, partially completed, or finished. All these features make this tool a perfect fit for students, professionals, or any user aiming to organize their daily or upcoming schedule and maximize productivity in their routine.

Features:

• Managing and sorting out your daily tasks.
• You can set the alarm and set your daily task.
• Various styling and Customization options make your task more user-friendly and effective in case you have a lot of tasks in your daily To-Do list.

3. Outlook Calendar Widget

If you’re someone feeling worn out from managing your schedule and searching for a tool that can effortlessly keep you informed about your upcoming events and meetings, Microsoft has the perfect solution for you – Outlook Calendar.

Even if you’ve already added upcoming events to your calendar, you can easily view them on your desktop taskbar. This ensures you won’t forget about your most crucial meetings or events. You can personalize the appearance of events and incorporate local holidays into your Outlook Calendar. All this customization makes this tool ideal for scheduling your top-priority work and efficiently organizing your events.

An additional feature is that Outlook Calendar can integrate all your Outlook meetings with location, timing, status, and other information available on your desktop. Furthermore, you can set reminders for events, specifying the frequency and timing. For instance, you can set a reminder one hour before and another reminder ten minutes before, ensuring you never miss your most important events.

Features:

• It allows you to set reminders with customized settings for your professional meetings and any other events.
• Outlook Calendar provides various styling and sorting options. You can use color-based categories to differentiate between meetings, appointments, and activities. Different colors indicate different priorities, making it easier to distinguish between types of events.
• Automatically detects your location and adds local regional holidays to your calendar. This feature helps you plan your schedule, especially on days off.
• Outlook Calendar is seamlessly integrated with all Microsoft services. Your calendar will be updated automatically whenever it receives events from any other Microsoft application, such as Teams or other applications.

4. News Widget

The News Widget application keeps you connected to global events, ensuring you’re always informed about what’s happening in the world. With its user-friendly features, you have the ability to customize your news feed, selecting the genre and sources that matter most to you. This customization ensures that you receive updates from trustworthy channels that align with your interests.

One noteworthy aspect of this application is its multilingual platform. You can receive real-time updates in your preferred language, making the experience more tailored to your linguistic preferences. Additionally, you can apply location filters to stay updated on events within a specific geographic area of your choice.

The News Widget tool is highly effective. It not only saves you valuable time that would be spent navigating different websites or switching between television channels but also provides a summarized news feed in its panel. This means you can stay abreast of real-time updates effortlessly, whether you’re scrolling casually or preparing for your daily tasks. In case if you want to remove news and weather widget follow given steps.

Features:

• You can modify the news feed according to your personal interests and preferences. The News Widget learns your personal interests, ensuring your news feed dashboard aligns with your choices seamlessly.
• Choose from a variety of sources or channels for your news updates. This allows you to enjoy updates from your favorite and trusted sources regularly.
• The application supports a multilingual panel, accommodating a variety of languages. You can switch to any language of your choice based on your preferences.

5. Photos Widget

The Photos widget stands out as one of the most widely used and popular widgets available. Through this widget, users can effortlessly synchronize their photos stored on Microsoft’s cloud service, commonly known as One Drive. While One Drive is a familiar cloud storage option, the Photos Widget offers a convenient way to access and view these photos directly from your desktop taskbar.

Discussing the features of the Photos Widget, this application allows you to showcase your photos in a slideshow format. Moreover, you have the flexibility to set the duration for each photo to appear on the screen. This hands-free feature enhances the enjoyment of viewing your photos on your computer. The control panel of the Photos widget provides buttons for pausing, playing, and skipping through pictures, all conveniently located just below the selected photo.

By utilizing these Photos widgets, you can relish the experience of viewing your favorite photos without the need to open the full version of OneDrive every time you want to access your One Drive photos. Dependence on these widgets is bound to simplify your workflow.

Features:

• Photos are automatically updated in widgets, eliminating the need to check in Microsoft OneDrive.
• Mark photos as favorites and employ multiple organizing options for easy access within a collection.
• Conduct slideshows for a hands-free experience while enjoying your photo collection.
• Multiple managing options are available such as Zoom the photos, Rotating them, and cropping out unnecessary parts possible with these widgets.

6. Traffic Widget

If traveling is a regular part of your routine and you often find yourself navigating different places, you should consider trying out Traffic Widgets. These widgets prove beneficial not only for frequent travelers but also for those new to a city or looking to explore new areas. They provide real-time updates on the traffic situation in your current location.

But that’s not all; you can specify your destination and assess the traffic conditions along your route. Moreover, the widget calculates the time required to reach your destination and provides a nearly accurate estimated time of arrival. Additional features include checking road conditions, exploring alternative routes, and a zooming option for a closer look at details.

The application offers two interface options: Satellite view and Map view. You can try any of them based on your personal choice. A noteworthy feature is the application’s analysis of past data, indicating the best times to depart to avoid heavy traffic. This feature is not limited to traffic updates; it can also suggest optimal times to visit restaurants, shopping malls, gardens, and museums near your current location.

Features: 

• Stay informed with current traffic information through this application.
• Choose between Map and Satellite views according to your personal preference.
• calculate the estimated time to reach your desired location using a smart algorithm.
• Receive notifications in case of accidents, dangers, or unwanted incidents on your route.

7. Sports Widget

Sports is one of the few areas of interest that gets the undivided attention of hardcore fans, irrespective of the platform and type of content. Therefore, Windows has included a dedicated Sports widget with Windows OS. It is basically a compact and interactive application that can contain a wide range of sports content along with quick access links and a handful of tools related to sports.

You can find the sports widget in the Windows 11 panel accessible by pressing the “Windows + W” key combo. What’s more interesting is that you can also customize this sports panel to display your favorite sports or team activity and keep you updated with the scores in real time. You can also switch to the full screen mode by clicking on the quick access tiles of the panel for a more immersive view.

For sports enthusiasts, there is no better platform than this widget. It covers matches you might have missed in the past days, displays live scores, allows you to check upcoming tournaments, and tracks team progress and player performance. All these updates in one sports widget make it worth trying for your sports goals.

Features:

• It offers direct access to sports news and scores without needing a browser.
• It shows short and relevant information on the panel.
• The sports widget adds a great theme for the OS for sports enthusiasts.
• It also integrates browsers or even the Microsoft Store to provide additional tools and options.

8. Entertainment Widget

If you are a fan of a recurring TV show or waiting impatiently for an upcoming cinema featuring your favorite actors, you definitely want to keep the entertainment widget of Windows 11 active at all times on your system. This is a rather new feature provided with Windows OS that updates you about news from the entertainment world and even lets you watch TV Shows and even Movies directly from the Microsoft Store.

It consists of a dynamic selection of titles that are selected based on your interests and the content you follow. You can also set up your interests to ensure you get the news only if it’s relevant to you. Plus, you can instantly get access to the content right after its release by simply clicking on the panel provided inside the widget that will redirect you to the source.

The standout feature of this Entertainment Widget is its ability to set notifications for your preferred television series. It keeps you informed whenever the latest episode becomes available. Moreover, you can delve into movie bios, watch trailers, and explore details about the casting and crew teams. This guarantees that you won’t miss the latest episode or any other minor details related to your beloved TV shows.

Features:

• Provides instant news about the latest releases and updates.
• It can redirect users to a variety of streaming platforms with a single click such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc.
• The widget also shows breaking news about celebrities and influencers.
• You can personalize the content based on your interests.

9. Watchlist Widget

While a lot of widgets that we have reviewed so far are based around entertainment and leisure activities, the watchlist widget is a greatly helpful widget designed for those who trade in the stock market and need constant updates about market changes and trends.

This widget has a collection of a lot of important data such as the latest trends in the market, top gainers or losers of the market, real-time stock price changes, and much more. The widget also offers quick access to the buying/selling portal where you can purchase or sell your assets with a single click. However, you will need to log in with your trading account or pair it with Microsoft before you can use the widget for trading. Also, the widget allows personalization so that you can choose which stocks should be displayed for regular updates.

Features:

• The widget is crucial for regular stock traders
• The stock value charts are interactive
• It allows users to buy and sell stocks with a single click
• It also offers the performance history of the company.

10. Phone Link Widget

This is yet another highly popular and essential widget for productive users who need to use their phones at all times along with their desktop computers or laptops. The phone link widget simply works as a notification center for your device that shows the notifications, call alerts, text messages, and other app alerts on your Windows system.

The widget is designed to work with Android devices and it can be paired with your smartphone using the “Link to Windows” app available on the Play Store. You can also check the current status of your device such as battery status, connectivity, and network status without having to check the device physically, which can be extremely distracting and counter-productive.

Features:

• The widget can display your device entirely using screen mirroring
• You can check call and text alerts even when you don’t have your phone with you
• Works with all Android apps without any problem
• Highly convenient and productive widget

11. Tips Widget

This is certainly one of the most helpful widgets available on the widgets available in the Windows widgets panel. The tips panel offers users a brief introduction and information about the latest updates and additions of the OS as well as the Edge web browser. This includes a wide range of helpful content such as helpful shortcut keys, new features, accessibility options, and much more.

The widget is designed to improve your Windows experience greatly by keeping you updated about the latest information and productive shortcuts. As you can imagine, there is usually a lot of new content that is pushed with each Windows update. So, you can glance at the widget once in a while and remind yourself to test out the new features and adopt the most efficient ones right away.

Features:

• The widget is updated regularly with new content
• It offers a lot of helpful tips and shortcuts that save user’s time and effort greatly
• The widget allows you to save tips so that you can refer to them later on
• Widget covers tips for many Windows features and apps, including the Edge browser.

How to Add Widgets to Desktop in Windows 11?

Yes, you heard correctly. The only drawback of these Widgets is that you cannot place them on your desktop for your convenience. However, every problem has a solution. If you’ve decided to do so, you can achieve this by using a few third-party applications available on the Microsoft Store. These applications can seamlessly perform the task of placing the widget on your desktop.

We have listed the best third-party applications specifically designed for this purpose:

i. Widget Launcher:

The first thing to note is that Widgets Launcher is not a developed application by Microsoft. However, it is accessible on the Microsoft Store, and it’s free for everyone to download. This tool enables you to incorporate widgets onto your desktop without any hurdles.

Its capabilities go beyond just that; it provides various customization options. You can adjust widget settings, personalize colors, format the order, or rearrange them. Changing the size is also within your control. All of this customization is made possible through the use of a third-party application, namely Widget Launcher, designed for your widgets.

ii. Desktop Gadgets:

There is another third-party tool available for Windows 11, known as “Desktop Gadgets,” which has been in the market for quite some time. Desktop Gadgets offers a variety of useful widgets, including a Digital Clock, World Clock, Weather, News Feeds, Notes, and more.

This tool allows users to customize the widgets according to their preferences. You can personalize the interface of your widgets, turn it to your liking, and stay updated with essential information.

Also Check: How to Stop Windows 11 Automatic Updates?

Top Widgets in Windows 11-FAQs

Conclusion

Concluding this article, we have explored various aspects of Widgets, understanding what they are and their purpose. We then delved into the steps of adding widgets to your Widgets List. After establishing the basics, this guide comprehensively details the top 11 widgets that can significantly save you valuable time. However, it’s crucial to align these choices with your personal goals, ensuring that your selection suits your needs. This consideration is more important than anything else.

Using irrelevant widgets, regardless of your preferences or personal goals, will only waste your time. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to carefully choose a suitable and time-saving tool from the list above. Moreover, you can explore third-party widgets available on the Microsoft Store for additional features not found in the built-in widgets provided by Windows 11.

In conclusion, we trust that this article has covered all aspects of this time-saving tool, Widgets.