How to Disable News in Windows 11 Widgets

Windows 11 introduces a Widgets panel that offers quick access to news, weather, sports updates, and more. While some users appreciate this feature, others may find the constant news feeds distracting or not personalized to their preferences. If you're looking to disable news in the Windows 11 Widgets or remove the Widgets feature entirely, there are several methods to achieve this.

Uninstall Windows 11 widgets using PowerShell

If you want to completely remove the Widgets feature from your system, you can uninstall it using PowerShell. This method ensures that the Widgets are entirely removed, preventing access via keyboard shortcuts or gestures. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Open the 'Command Prompt' or 'Windows PowerShell' with administrative privileges. To do this, right-click the Start menu and select Terminal (Admin). Alternatively, you can search for Command Prompt or PowerShell in the Start menu, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.

Step 2: If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to grant administrative access.

Step 3: In the PowerShell window, type or paste the following command and press Enter:

winget uninstall "Windows web experience Pack"

Step 4: If the Winget tool prompts you to agree to source terms, type Y and press Enter.

Step 5: The Winget tool will proceed to uninstall the MicrosoftWindows.Client.WebExperience_cw5n1h2txyewy package, which is responsible for the Widgets feature.

Step 6: Once the process is complete, the Widgets feature will be fully removed from your computer, including from the taskbar and settings.

Disable widgets using the Group Policy Editor

If you prefer to disable the Widgets feature without uninstalling it, you can use the Group Policy Editor. This method prevents the Widgets from running, effectively stopping all associated features. Here's how:

Step 1: Open the Start menu, type Edit group policy, and select the Edit Group Policy control panel to launch the Group Policy Editor. Alternatively, press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2: In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Widgets

Step 3: In the right pane, double-click on the Allow widgets policy setting.

Step 4: In the policy settings window, select the Disabled option, then click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Step 5: Restart your computer to apply the changes. The Widgets feature should now be disabled and removed from the taskbar.

Disable widgets using Registry Editor

Another way to disable the Widgets feature is through the Windows Registry Editor. This method is effective if you want to prevent the Widgets from running without using the Group Policy Editor. Follow these steps carefully:

Method 1:

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows key + R, typing regedit, and pressing Enter. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.

Step 2: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\

Step 3: Right-click the Microsoft key in the left pane, select New, and then choose Key.

Step 4: Name the new key as Dsh.

Step 5: With the Dsh key selected, right-click in the right pane, choose New, and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 6: Name this new DWORD value as AllowNewsAndInterests.

Step 7: Double-click the AllowNewsAndInterests value and ensure the Value data is set to 0, then click OK.

Step 8: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes. The Widgets feature should now be disabled.

Method 2:

Step 1: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

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

Step 2: Look for the TaskbarDa DWORD value in the right pane. If it doesn't exist, right-click on the Advanced key, select New, and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it TaskbarDa.

Step 3: Double-click the TaskbarDa value, set the Value data to 0, and click OK.

Step 4: Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC. The Widgets feature should now be disabled.

Hide widgets from taskbar using settings

If you prefer to simply hide the Widgets from your taskbar without disabling them entirely, you can do so through the Settings app. This method keeps the Widgets feature active but removes its icon from the taskbar. Here's how:

Step 1: Right-click an empty area on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Alternatively, open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I, click on Personalization, and then select Taskbar.

Step 2: In the Taskbar settings, locate the Taskbar items section and turn off the toggle for Widgets.

Step 3: The Widgets icon will immediately disappear from the taskbar. If you wish to restore it later, simply turn the toggle back on.

Remove interests to stop news feed on widgets

If you're seeing unwanted news topics in your Widgets panel, you can customize your interests to control what appears. By unfollowing specific topics or sources, you can reduce or eliminate unwanted news. Here's how to manage your interests:

Step 1: Open the Widgets panel by clicking the Widgets icon on the taskbar or by pressing Windows key + W.

Step 2: In the Widgets panel, click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.

Step 3: Click the Manage interests or Personalize your interests link at the bottom of the Widgets settings window.

Step 4: This will open the Microsoft Start website in your browser. On the left pane, click on Followed interests.

Step 5: In the right pane, uncheck any topics you no longer wish to follow.

Step 6: To unfollow specific news sources, click on Followed sources in the left pane and uncheck the sources you want to remove.

Hide stories from sources on widgets board

If certain news sources or topics are cluttering your Widgets feed, you can hide stories from specific sources directly from the Widgets panel. Here's how to customize your feed:

Step 1: Open the Widgets panel by clicking its icon on the taskbar or pressing Windows key + W.

Step 2: Find a news story from a source you'd like to hide. Click the See more (three dots) button at the bottom-right corner of the story.

Step 3: Select Hide stories from [source] from the menu.

Step 4: You'll receive a confirmation message indicating that stories from that source will no longer appear in your feed.

Step 5: To reduce stories on a particular topic, click the See more (three dots) button on a related story and select Fewer stories like this.

Step 6: To remove a specific story from your feed, click the Hide this story (X) button at the top-right corner of the news article.

Step 7: When prompted, select the reason for hiding the story, such as Not interested in this story or Don't like the source. Microsoft will adjust your feed based on your feedback.