Windows 11 · Windows
Restore Windows Widgets in Windows 11
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
First make sure Widgets is enabled on the taskbar, then open the Widgets board with Windows+W. Microsoft says Widgets also need current Windows Web Experience Pack and Microsoft Edge updates to work as expected.
Open taskbar settings
Right-click an empty part of the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
Turn on Widgets
Under Taskbar items, turn the Widgets switch on.
Open the Widgets board
Press Windows key+W, or select the Widgets area on the taskbar, to check whether the board opens.
Check your account in Widgets
In the Widgets board, select the account button and confirm the account used for the personalised feed. Sign in only if you want personalisation.
Update Windows Web Experience Pack
Open Microsoft Store, search for Windows Web Experience Pack, and install an available update. This package delivers widget-based Windows features.
Update Microsoft Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and install available browser updates. Microsoft lists current Edge and Web Experience Pack updates as requirements for Widgets to work as expected.
Open Widgets again
Return to the Widgets board after the updates complete and check the taskbar setting once more. Avoid changing Group Policy or your default browser for this issue without an organisation-specific instruction.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If the taskbar button is hidden but Windows+W opens Widgets, re-enable the taskbar item in Taskbar settings rather than changing account or browser settings.
- If Widgets still fails after both updates, record whether the board is blank, does not open, or only one widget fails. Different widgets can be controlled by their own app or service settings.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.