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Last week, a pair of widgets rolled out with an Insider build of Windows 11.

It’s now possible totest out the Spotify and Phone Link widgetsif you’re running the latest preview build.

Windows 11 Widgets panel

Most widgets can be removed from the Windows 11 widgets panel with a couple clicks.

Somewhat to my surprise, I was greeted by a flood of news stories.

After all, it’s the widgets panel not the news panel.

I figured this would be a simple fix.

Windows 11 widgets panel

Most widgets can be removed from the Windows 11 widgets panel with a couple clicks.

I began a journey of trying to hide news widgets that turned out to be in vein.

Clicking the plus icon allows you to add widgets by pinning them to the panel.

It does not contain an option to hide news altogether.

Windows 11 widgets panel

News cannot be removed from the Windows 11 widgets panel, though you can hide certain outlets or types of stories.

A simple solution

There’s a simple solution to this problem.

Microsoft just needs to add the option to remove news like any other widget.

Why should news get special treatment in a panel designed for widgets?

Windows 11 widgets panel

The Windows 11 widgets panel provides quick access to some widgets and a lot of news articles.

I want to interact with things like a music player or a to do list, not find news.

I suspect it’s part of an effort to make money.

More eyeballs on the newsfeed means more clicks.

Windows 11 lock screen widgets

But that doesn’t justify the move.

It shouldn’t take over any gap in the entire widgets panel.

Windows 11 Start menu

Start11 runnning on Surface Pro X

Windows Copilot key

Windows 11 Start menu customization settings

Windows 11 system features

Windows 11 battery usage

Copilot Vision for Windows announcement

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The Crew

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