Microsoft has a history of removing features and elements from Windows that don’t gain the traction or popularity they hoped for. A notable example of this was the removal of the Arcade section from the Microsoft Store. Now, it seems they’ve done it again—this time targeting several widgets.
Among the affected widgets are the Calendar and Tasks widgets in Windows, which belonged to a largely overlooked section of the Microsoft Store. Similar removals have occurred with other widgets in certain regions. Below, we’ll share more details about this development.
Microsoft removes several widgets from the Windows 11 app store
According to Windows Central, Microsoft shared insights into this decision through the Windows Message Center. The company explained that it aims to improve the overall Widgets interface, leading to the removal of the Calendar and To-Do widgets from the Microsoft Store collection. Additionally, widgets like Photos, Family, and the Microsoft 365 Feed have also been removed in certain regions.
Microsoft hasn’t clarified whether these widgets will return in the future or if the decision is permanent. It’s worth noting, though, that removing them entirely—rather than letting users decide if they want to keep them—raises some eyebrows.
The removal likely stems from low usage, which could be due to many users being unaware of this feature. However, Windows 11’s widget panel can be quite handy for those who take advantage of it. If you’d like to try it out, here’s how:
- Open Settings in Windows 11.
- Navigate to the Personalization section.
- Select Widgets.
- Look for the weather icon in the lower corner of your screen and click it to open the widget panel.
You can instantly open the widget panel for quicker access by using the CTRL + W shortcut. From there, you can add widgets you find useful and even adjust their sizes to suit your needs.
