How to remove the Weather Widget in Windows 11
Weather Widget is more than an icon. When you click on it on the Taskbar, it expands to display weather, stocks, news, and more. All of this can be configured as per your liking. That said, now let’s find out how you can remove it: While anyone can configure the first one, the latter two will need a user account with admin permission. Also, these two methods disable the ability to change the Widgets option to be configured.
1] Remove Weather Widget via Windows Settings
It will instantly remove the Widget icon from the Taskbar. However, you can still access it using Win + W. Read: Cannot add or remove Widgets in Windows 11
2] Remove Weather Widget using Group Policy
Open Run prompt using Win + RType gpedit.msc and press the Enter keyOnce the Policy Editor is open, navigate to the following section
Since the default or not configured allows the Widget, you need to select disabled to remove it or turn it offMake a choice, and apply the changes.
3] Remove Weather Widget using Registry
The last method is to edit the Registry if you do not access the Group Policy Editor. It is essential that you take a backup of the Registry as it’s sensitive, and any incorrect edit can be problematic. You can also create a system restore which can be accessed using Advanced Recovery.
Open Run Prompt using Windows Key + RType regedit and press Shift + Enter to open the editor with admin permission.Navigate to the following path
Right-click on the right-side and create a new key. Name it as DshInside the Dsh folder, right-click and create a new DWORD (32-bit) with the name AllowNewsAndInterestsDouble click to open it, select Hexadecimal, and set the value as 0Click on the OK button to save the changes.
It comes in handy when you want to export the Registry and then add it to another PC. However, ensure you always have a backup.
Can you disable Widgets entirely from Windows?
No, you can only remove it from the Taskbar, and it’s a cosmetic removal of the feature. Even when you disable it via Group Policy and Registry Editor, it will still be accessible using Win+W keyboard shortcut.
How to change the location of the Weather Widget?
Open Windows Widget using Win+W, and then click on the three-dot menu on the weather widget. Change the location and update it. Once done, close the Widget, and the weather should automatically update on the Taskbar based on the new location.
