Microsoft introduced Widgets when Windows 11 was launched, but its functionality was more limited than it is now. Microsoft has improved this feature over time, but some improvements are still needed to improve the user experience.
In this article, we list the features Microsoft can add to widgets to make them more customizable and easy to use:
1- Allow the user to open the right toolbar:
When you click on the widget icon added to the taskbar in Windows 11, you will notice that the Control Panel opens on the left side of the screen. Many users may prefer to display the widget panel on the right side, just like in macOS. Therefore, Microsoft must provide the ability to open the panels on the right and left as desired by the user.
2- Allow Windows 11 users to disable the News section in the Dashboard:
Windows 11 gives you headlines about events around the world with dashboard widgets. You can also customize the widget panel to display only news about the topics that interest you.
However, not everyone wants to follow the latest news. So it's a good idea that Microsoft allows users to disable the news articles section.
3- Add more useful widgets:
Microsoft has added support for third-party tools to Windows 11, and companies like Meta and Spotify have released their own Windows 11 tools.
However, the Widgets Panel is still missing useful widgets for basic computer applications such as sticky notes and calculators. Microsoft can't force third parties to add widgets to Windows 11, but it can enrich the palette by providing widgets for core system apps.
4- Possibility to install widgets on the desktop and lock screen:
To view the widgets you need to open the Widgets panel, there is no other way to get there. But Microsoft can solve this problem by allowing users to pin specific widgets to the desktop or lock screen. This allows you to stay connected to your favorite apps from the desktop or lock screen without having to open the widgets panel.
5- Add support for multiple accounts in the Windows 11 widget:
You can use this tool whether or not you are signed in to the Dashboard with your Microsoft account. However, it does not support multiple accounts.
The widget panel that supports multiple accounts means you can easily switch between different accounts at any time during use. Each account offers you a separate Widgets Panel, and you can customize each Widgets Panel differently.
6- Allow the user to change the default browser for the tool:
If you see an interesting headline in your widgets, you may want to read the full story by opening the story link in your default internet browser to continue reading. However, this is not available in Windows 11, where all links open directly in Microsoft Edge browser even after setting another browser as default. To provide more flexibility, Microsoft should allow users to change the tool's default browser.
Microsoft has been improving the widgets feature over the past few months, and one of the big changes is support for third-party widgets.
Microsoft will continue to listen to user suggestions and feedback to see what needs to be added to improve the Windows 11 experience, and all the features mentioned in this article have been rolled out in the Feedback Hub app.
If you want Microsoft to add all of these tool improvements ASAP, you can vote on feature requests in the Feedback Hub app by clicking the vote button. The more upvotes, the more Microsoft will add these features.