Windows 11 comes with a new feature known as the News and Interests taskbar widget. This widget allows users to access news articles and other information directly from their taskbar. While this feature can be useful, some users may find it unnecessary or distracting. Fortunately, it is possible to disable the News and Interests taskbar widget in Windows 11. In this article, we will explain how to do so.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable the News and Interests Taskbar Widget in Windows 11

1. Right-click on the taskbar.

2. Click on “News and interests.”

3. Select “Turn off” from the dropdown menu.

4. The News and Interests widget should now disappear from your taskbar.

Note: If you want to enable the News and Interests widget again, repeat the steps above but select “Show icon and text” instead of “Turn off” in step 3.

Some users have reported that the News and Interests widget even after being disabled it reappears again. This can be caused by a glitch or bug. If this happens to you, there is a workaround to permanently disable the News and Interests taskbar widget in Windows 11.

Permanently Disable News and Interests Taskbar Widget in Windows 11

1. Press the Windows key + R.

2. Type regedit in the Run box and click OK.

3. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds.

4. Create a new DWORD value by right-clicking on the right side of the screen and selecting New.

5. Name the new DWORD value ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode.

6. Double-click on the new DWORD value and change the value data to 2.

7. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.

8. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

After following these steps, the News and Interests widget should be permanently disabled in Windows 11.

Conclusion

The News and Interests taskbar widget is a new feature in Windows 11 that allows users to access news articles and other information directly from their taskbar. While some users may find this feature useful, others may find it unnecessary or distracting. Fortunately, it is possible to disable the News and Interests widget in Windows 11 using the steps outlined above. If the widget reappears after disabling it, the permanent solution is to modify the Registry Editor. By following these steps, users can customize their Windows 11 experience to focus on what matters most to them.